John Pawson, Richard Meier and Eva Jiricná's Oaks Prague development puts wellness at its centre
Arendon Development Company has announced that architecture firms John Pawson, Richard Meier and Eva Jiricná will be designing elements of a large mixed-use scheme, the Oaks Prague, in the Czech Republic.
The development, masterplanned by EDSA with Chapman Taylor and John Thompson and Partners, is based on a village concept, with wellness and healthy living built into its core.
London-based firm, John Pawson, is drawing up plans for the epicentre of Oaks Prague; a mixed-use hotel, spa, restaurant and club house. The project will be built into an existing 19th-century chateau/farmhouse - allowing the history and context of the site to come through.
Taking the farmhouse as a starting point, Pawson’s vision will see the original courtyard reinstated, two barns will be reconstructed and a new build concrete structure will be added to house new amenities.
John Pawson, director, commented: “It’s exciting to have this new opportunity to make a piece of architecture that brings together contemporary and historic elements.” His firm will be using specific materials that respond to and mirror traditional building techniques, allowing the development to blend in with it’s aged surroundings.
The Oaks Prague has a raft of architecture firms working on it so far including; Coffey Architects, Duggan Morris Architects, Eldridge Smerin, Hall McKnight, Haptic, John Pardey Architects, McGarry-Moon Architects, ADR, AI Design and Cigler Morani - who were all chosen following a design competition in November 2014.
Once complete, the site will offer more than 200 new homes as well as extensive health and fitness facilities, such as a nine-hole golf course and gyms.