Restoration of two Former First-Republic Swimming Pools in Architecture Students Projects
Abstract: In the summer term 2016/17 the students of the bachelor study program Architecture and Building Engineering dealt with the design of the new usage of the two former, renowned first-Republic swimming pools: Kokorin Zamecka and Roztoky Maxmilianka, respectively Koliba restaurant. The Chateau valley under Kokorin Castle was a renowned swimming pool with the largest concrete pool in former Czechoslovakia, with restaurants and accommodation facilities in the hotel or in individual small cottages. Recreational accommodation was located in the first zone of the Protected Landscape Area of Kokorinsko, in the flood area and is considerably dilapidated now. The original buildings are desolated and their reconstruction is practically impossible. The current owner intends to restore the comlex. Students´ work helped to verify a different approach to solutions: from the moderate method of partial reconstruction with respect to the principles and rules for construction in the PLA, through concepts that respect the shape regulations but change the layout of the buildings to the bold designs that bring to the locality the neoplasm and completely alter the urban layout of the buildings. The projects have been exhibited at Kokorin Castle throughout the summer so the students' visions have been confronted with the view of the visitors. Generally, a moderate approach has been better accepted. In the first-Republic times the former Koliba restaurant plot at the end of the Tiche udoli Street in Roztoky used to be a popular swimming pool. After the fire of Koliba restaurant in 2009 it has been abandoned. Instead of the neighboring dilapidated Maxmilianka restaurant the dwelling project is being designed now. Therefore, it was possible to look into the plot of the former Koliba restaurant for individual housing design. Architecture students´ designs were focused on analyzing the plot and designing of a four-member family house. Projects included restoration of the water surface. The aim of the paper is to present the opinion of young students of architecture on the future usage of these abandoned areas.
