Prague's CAMP leaves the iconic Prager's Cubes ahead of major renovation
After nearly nine years in Prager's Cubes, Prague's Centre for Architecture and Metropolitan Planning (CAMP) is closing its current home as the landmark brutalist building undergoes a long-awaited renovation. Just before CAMP closed its doors on Sunday, I caught up with its director, Štěpán Bartl, to discuss the move, the renovation and what lies ahead.
You are leaving your current home and moving to new premises in Karlín for at least the next three years. What will this new space look like, and will it be accessible to the public?
"Well, when we started looking for a new space, we wanted to find something that resembled as closely as possible the space we have now in Prager's Cubes. That, of course, proved impossible because the building is quite unique.
"After visiting a lot of different venues, we finally settled on a place in Karlín at Pobřežní 20A. It's a former boat repair factory with a very large open space and the potential for a projection wall, which we'd like to move from the current CAMP. That's something we're really excited about, and of course it's a space we want to open to the public as soon as possible."
The new Karlín venue opens in the autumn. How can people stay in touch with CAMP during the summer months?
"We'll have a summer programme. It won't be as busy as it usually is because we're moving premises and everything is a bit harder logistically.
"We'll continue our series of boat tours around topics related to Prague's future, including new construction and development projects. We also have a new format called CAMP Point. We've modified our electric cargo bike and we'll take it directly into the streets to talk to people. The idea is that if you can't come to us, we'll come to you.
"I think we'll visit Jiřího z Poděbrad, Štvanice Island, Nuselský pivovar and other new and up-and-coming places around Prague."
The reason you're moving is that the building is about to undergo a major renovation. It's also the first public project in Czechia to follow circular construction principles. What makes this renovation unique, and what will happen to the original materials?
"I think there are two aspects to it. First, we really want to carry out the reconstruction as closely as possible to Karel Prager's original vision, which was never fully realised. There was supposed to be another cube, the first roof was meant to be accessible so people could spend time there, and there were plans for a restaurant and bistro. We're trying to involve as many people as possible who still remember Prager's original vision.
"The second aspect is reusing as much of the original material as possible. That doesn't just mean recycling; it also means carefully dismantling the building instead of simply tearing it down. We're carrying out a pre-demolition audit, sorting beams into one pile, bricks into another, and trying to reuse as much as we can in a circular way.
"It's obviously much more complex, but as a public institution, we at the Prague Institute of Planning and Development feel it's the right thing to do."
What will the renovated building offer visitors that they couldn't enjoy before?
"I think it's evolution, not revolution. We're not trying to change everything; we're trying to make the things that already work even better.
"At CAMP, the spaces beneath the flying cubes will become much more open to the public. We're adding more places to spend time, hold events, lectures and exhibitions. There will also be a kindergarten and much more space for educational activities.
"We also want to make the lower roof accessible so people can walk around, sit at a café or bistro, or simply spend time there.
"Then there are the less visible technological improvements. We want the building to be sustainable, and buildings from the 1970s rarely are. We're adding a number of hidden features that will make it much more energy-efficient and better suited to the 21st century."
Finally, what does it feel like to be leaving this space after so many years? What has CAMP become over that time for Prague and its residents?
"Actually, it's the end of an era, and I think everyone on the team feels that quite strongly. For nine seasons, this has been home not only for us, but also for many people in this city that we live in and love.
"So there is definitely nostalgia and melancholy, but also excitement because we truly believe these Prager's Cubes deserve a second chance. We're incredibly happy they're going to get one.
"I think everyone is sad to leave because CAMP has become a fixture on Prague's cultural and civic map. But this doesn't mean we're stopping. If anything, we'll become even closer to people in the city because we'll have to adopt a more nomadic way of working. In that sense, it's also incredibly exciting."
