Space for living… between six buildings
The Šestidomí area has a long history of housing. In the 1970s, the original houses were replaced by a panel housing estate with more than 500 apartments. The construction responded to the demands of rapid and affordable housing at the time and also brought basic public amenities. In recent years, the area has gradually been transforming. In 2021, the adjacent forest park was revitalized, and our study continues this transformation — seeking a balance between the history of the place, the needs of current residents, and high-quality public space.
The study of the public space between the panel buildings in the Šestidomí area arises from the need to return a human face and natural rhythm to the surrounding environment, derived from the lives of its residents. The current condition no longer meets the expectations of a modern 21st-century city — it rather falls behind them. The aim of the study is to create a place for everyday life for residents — a place for meeting, movement, rest, and play, while also strengthening people’s connection to this locality.
The project is based on a detailed analysis of the area, its historical development, current state, and future potential. An integral part of the proposal was also the participation of the housing estate’s residents, who significantly influenced the final design.
The study builds on a clear spatial structure and divides the area into functionally distinct but interconnected parts. It emphasizes clear spatial organization, a balanced connection of quiet and active zones, and respect for the existing greenery and landscape character. An important role is also played by barrier-free design and overall safety for all users.
Part of the proposal is preserving the open meadow, creating a central recreational space, and adding sports and play elements that support everyday use of the place across generations.
The study proposal develops the area as a clear, legible, and well-connected public space with a strong emphasis on everyday use by residents of all age groups. It includes new pedestrian routes that logically connect individual parts of the site, a multi-generational playground, multifunctional sports areas including space for in-line activities, and stay areas equipped with benches and urban furniture. The traffic concept prioritizes pedestrian movement and minimizes conflicts with car traffic, thereby increasing user safety and overall comfort.
The material and landscape design is conceived with long-term durability, easy maintenance, and the site’s natural character in mind. A combination of natural materials, paved surfaces, and greenery supports a cohesive visual identity of the area, while carefully selected urban furniture enhances the quality of stay and overall user comfort.
The revitalization of the Šestidomí housing estate in Trutnov has been developed in dialogue with the people who actually live there. In collaboration with the organization Participace měst, we opened a public discussion on an almost final version of the study and jointly explored what works in the place, what should remain, and what needs to change.
The result is a project that is not based merely on visualizations but on the real needs of the local community. Participation here is not an add-on but a key part of the whole process — helping distinguish real problems from first impressions and transform them into a long-term sustainable solution.
Public space is not created on paper. It is created among people. And according to us, this is exactly what quality public space architecture should look like.
The Šestidomí revitalization study presents a comprehensive proposal that combines a professional architectural approach with active public participation. Thanks to the involvement of local residents, the design responds to the real needs of the housing estate and has the potential to become a natural center of community life. At the same time, the project establishes a solid foundation for subsequent stages of project development and the gradual implementation of the area’s revitalization.
Watch a report from the public presentation of the nearly final design for the revitalization of the Šestidomí housing estate.
Autorský tým: Michal Rouha, Marie Delongová, Barbora Jurášová
Participace: Participace Měst - Dominika Potužáková, Michaela Malá
Lokalita: Trutnov, sídliště Šestidomí
Klient: Město Trutnov
