Blanice 2.0
A neighborhood designed with care for today’s community and those who will call it home in the future.
The demolition of the Blanice complex presents a unique opportunity to transform the site into a sustainable residential development. New Blanice is not conceived as a barrier, but as a connector—linking the historic town center with the Hlinky housing estate. The proposal focuses on improving permeability, strengthening social connections, and creating a vibrant, welcoming environment that is open to everyone. Its design responds sensitively to the contrast between the architecture of the housing estate and the surrounding family homes.
Today, the Blanice site is an underused area characterized by a lack of social oversight and limited accessibility. The vacant buildings, originally constructed during the development of the Temelín power plant, now act as a barrier—discouraging, inaccessible, and inhospitable. Their presence is perceived negatively because they fail to relate to the surrounding urban fabric, reinforcing a sense of isolation and insecurity. Today's Blanice feels abandoned and unapproachable.
We propose transforming Blanice into a lively, accessible, and attractive place for all. The new urban blocks are designed to respect the scale and character of the surrounding development. Running through the heart of the neighborhood is a residential pedestrian street that connects its various parts and serves as the central thread upon which the housing blocks, courtyards, and public spaces are woven together.
The proposed network of streets and pathways builds upon the existing circulation system of the Hlinky housing estate. The pedestrian route along the edge of the estate is reinforced by a new pedestrian axis through the residential development, which is further connected to the surrounding circular trail by a landscaped green edge. The result is a neighborhood that integrates seamlessly into its surroundings while creating new opportunities for movement, interaction, and everyday life.
| lokace | Týn nad Vltavou |
|---|---|
| rok | 2025 |
| program | urbanismus, bydlení |
| klient | Město Týn nad Vltavou |
| status | studie soutěž, 3. místo |
| autorský tým | Simona Horáková, Adam Zatloukal, Veronika Hušková, Michal Liska, Krištof Hanzlík, Vavřinec Veselý, Jiří Hanzlík MENU architekti: Anna Mahdalová, Tereza Březovská, Pavel Mahdal, Michal Svoboda Kateřina Kuchtová - umělecký zásah Karolína Jandáčková - krajinářské řešení |
| spolupráce | Traffic Design - dopravní řešení |
| organizátor soutěže |
Urban and Architectural Concept
The proposal combines apartment buildings, terraced houses, and semi-detached homes to create a diverse and balanced residential environment. We introduce three types of terraced houses, offering different levels of amenities and varying parking arrangements, allowing residents to choose a home that best suits their individual needs and lifestyles. This diversity of housing types promotes social inclusion and makes the development accessible to a broad range of residents.
The terraced and semi-detached houses feature private gardens enclosed by low, semi-transparent fences that provide privacy while maintaining visual connections within the neighborhood. Front gardens contribute to the character of the streets and help create a welcoming residential atmosphere. Apartment buildings, in turn, are complemented by shared gardens that encourage interaction and community life.
The courtyards within the development are designed to support a wide variety of uses – from quiet relaxation and informal recreation to community gatherings and outdoor barbecues. Rather than prescribing a fixed form or program, the proposal demonstrates the potential of the urban structure and allows for flexibility in how these spaces evolve over time. This adaptability enables residents to shape their environment according to their needs while contributing to the vitality and character of the neighborhood as a whole.
Phasing and Sustainability
The project places a strong emphasis on social sustainability, bringing together existing and future residents. Our priority is to ensure that the new neighborhood connects rather than divides. For this reason, the proposal begins with a crucial preliminary phase – Phase Zero.
At the outset of Phase Zero, a team of artists, supported by the municipality, coordinates the creation of a local association whose aim is to bring Blanice 2.0 to life as if it already existed. With minimal investment and, wherever possible, without the need for complex permitting procedures, the site should begin to be used in ways that reflect and anticipate its future development. The goal is to establish a sense of ownership, activity, and community long before construction is completed.
The proposed small-scale urban blocks allow for a flexible phasing strategy that can adapt to changing needs while respecting the retained Buildings No. 708 and 709. The revitalization of streets and public spaces should be coordinated across the entire housing estate to ensure that investment benefits the broader community rather than being concentrated solely within the new development.
The conversion of the former heating plant can proceed independently of the main development phases. Likewise, the semi-detached houses are not essential to the success of the overall concept. Retaining an undeveloped reserve within the urban structure is not a flaw; on the contrary, it provides flexibility for future needs while preserving the integrity and functionality of the neighborhood as a whole.
Streets and Mobility Concept
The proposed street network is designed with a strong emphasis on pedestrian safety and comfort. Several streets are entirely pedestrianized, encouraging active mobility and creating a calm, people-oriented environment for residents.
Throughout most of the development, roadways are raised to reinforce pedestrian priority and naturally reduce vehicle speeds. Traffic calming is further supported by a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h, applied across the entire neighborhood, including the main Veselská Street. This approach contributes to a safer and more comfortable public realm for all users.
The proposal also incorporates a number of cul-de-sacs, intentionally designed so that they do not intersect the primary pedestrian spine of the development. This strategy preserves the continuity and prominence of the main pedestrian route, ensuring that walking remains the most direct and attractive way to move through the neighborhood.
Together, these measures create a street network that prioritizes people over vehicles, supports sustainable mobility, and strengthens the quality of everyday life within the community.
