6.05.2025
The renovation of the ČTK PressCentrum in Opletalova Street in Prague, designed by the Písek Seyček architekti architectural studio, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2024 Interior of the Year competition in the Public Interior category. According to the architects, the newly redesigned space combines the functionalist heritage of the building with the demands of contemporary technical and social facilities.
The aim of the project was to restore the multifunctional hall, foyer and entrance areas in a way that meets the needs of current operations. "We preserved as many of the original quality elements as possible. The complementary gold and black colour scheme refers to their original material character," said architect Jan Seyček. For example, the team retained the wooden wall panelling in the hall, the steel-and-stone radiator frames and the glazed wall with access to the terrace.
The architects reconfigured the layout of the foyer, adding a new bar counter and a terrace in the adjacent courtyard. As part of the renovations, the hall was restored to its original size by removing a later partition wall. New surface finishes, an acoustic suspended ceiling and technical equipment – including a front-facing projection wall – were also installed.
A striking visual element is the set of large-format wallpapers featuring historical photographs from the ČTK Archive, which visually interconnect the different parts of the PressCentrum. “Photojournalism has long been a key part of the agency’s output, so we chose to make it a unifying theme that accompanies visitors throughout the space,” added Seyček.
The renovation work began in spring 2023, and the official opening took place in October of the same year. Since then, the space has been used for press conferences, expert discussions, workshops and social events.
The PressCentrum ČTK offers capacity for 50 seated or up to 100 standing guests. It is equipped with a large-format screen, a photo wall, catering facilities and a separate audiovisual studio. The space has served as a base for journalists since the First Czechoslovak Republic era (1918-1938) and, after several decades of different use, has now returned to its original purpose. Through the renovation, the architects created a representative setting for a wide range of events while preserving the building’s historical identity and continuity.