The Plaza Shopping Center in Pilsen designed by the studio Arch.Design based in Brno was completed in 2007. It is located near the city centre, where the fairground originally was (built in the 1930s, demolished in 2005). Except for shops, there is also a cinema and a casino (formerly a bowling centre). Part of the project was the parking house and the reconstruction of the natural amphitheatre and a park (currently all in public ownership).

 

A shopping centre is an example of absolutely privatised commercialised space, whose primary function is to make a profit and its design should primarily serve the consumption, not the people. It is a counterpoint of public space – it is oriented to inside, it shows its back to the street (to the surrounding) – the traditional public space “out there” is considered “a place of deviation, chaos and corruptness”, from which one needs to be kept away, in safety. A comfortable and attractive environment for customers is created, the clients should not be bothered – by bad weather or (potentially) socially pathological phenomena. Although for many this city “wrapped” in a safe, clean and controlled form represents an important community and social centre, it is not a real public space - the private owner sets the regulation and rules, some (potentially annoying) social groups are excluded. This is reflected in a clean, transparent, light interior; space is maximally “extracted” for commercial areas – a visitor is only welcome as a customer, space can only be used if one consumes. If you want to sit and relax, the only option is a cafeteria or a restaurant. The shopping centre operates as a monoblock; it does not create an urban environment; in the case of Plaza it is through and connects the main avenue (and parking) with a park by the river, but only in the opening hours. How are the limits set for architects in such projects? What must the architect respect? Should architects avoid designing these types of buildings?

 

 

Jaroslav Dokoupil is the chief architect in the Arch.Design firm, among their projects are e.g. M-Palace Brno, Pavilions P and V at the Trade Fairs Brno or Avalon Business Center in Pilsen. Since 1996 he deals with the issue of Brno Railway Junction, he co-authored the urban reconstruction of the junction (2005), he led the team for the concept of the new master plan of Brno (2004–2011). In 2012, the Czech Chamber of Architects found him guilty of a conflict of interest in the preparation of an expert opinion on the Aupark Shopping Center project in Brno. He is a member of the board of directors of the Association of Architects and Builders in Brno (ABRAST).

 

— “We often encounter some populist views from the side of the public administration, opinions of certain involved influencing groups. The view of the administration, unfortunately… Due to my long-time experience, I’m somewhat critical in this respect… The public interest is a broad term, who knows what hides behind it. I’m a bit critical to that too. Developers’ interest is moved to the other side. Our role as architects is to be able to combine these things, and that’s no simple position. Oftentimes, if I can say that, both sides see you as an idiot.”

 

— “Now I’m getting to the role of the architects again – we can’t project buildings for a lifestyle that is minor, even though we’d often like to share this opinion. We have a responsibility to our clients, and we have to keep in mind that 80% of the population can’t imagine a life without a car.”

 

 

Petr Matoušek is a sociologist and academic; he has worked in several public organisations, such as the Center for Drug Prevention and Therapy in Pilsen or the Johan centre for cultural and social projects, he works at the Clinic of Addictology at the Charles University and leads male therapeutic groups at the Open Men League. For collaboration with architects and municipalities, he co-founded MAKAI-studio in which he practices applied sociology based on observations, interviews, mental maps, and other qualitative techniques; facilitates discussion between different professions, professionals and the public. His field of research is the issue of minorities, social deviance, family sociology, prostitution, homelessness and issues of the borderland.

 

— PM: “There are sociological theories, according to which the space like this is very exclusive for lots of people. I noticed that there is a casino up here, which quite surprised me.”  — JD: “Me too. It’s the one that blocked the view of the park.”

 

 

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camera: Vít Trunec
video editing: Tomáš Hlaváček
translation: Ondřej Kvapil, Karolína Plášková

subtitles: Tereza Kvapilová, Karolína Plášková