FPCR were appointed by Waystone Ltd to develop the masterplan for a former military base at Stribro in western Czech Republic.
The design philosophy for the redevelopment of the site used a layer approach. All existing positive elements were retained, to provide references to the former use, such as the grid layout of streets, the former watch tower, sports pitches and stone columns. These elements were given a new use, with the streets becoming pedestrian links rather than roads, and forming focal avenues.
A strong green framework, with balancing ponds in the lowest part of the site then overlays this grid. Finally a strong recognisable primary transport network is overlayed onto the grid. This creates a series of differing zones, each with distinct characters, that provide an immediate sense of place.
A local character study within Stribro identified a number of vertical elements within both the Stribro townscape, and the site itself. In order to create an immediately recognisable site, the proposals drew on this concept, with a number of towers of different character across the site, including the existing watch tower retained as a viewing tower within the site.
A new silver tower provides a gateway landmark building on arrival to Stribro (Stribro is the Czech name for Silver, due to the towns historic past). A sustainable water tower, within the balancing ponds area will use water from the balancing ponds to generate electricity, and act as a focal point. Existing Sculpture Columns within the site will be re-used, and form a lower level grid of public art.
