Urban Eden is part of the Florenc21 development in Prague and represents a contemporary reinterpretation of the city block within a larger urban masterplan. The project engages in a dialogue with Prague’s historical and architectural stratification, aiming to redefine the skyline not through rupture, but by extending tradition into the future through an architecture that combines historical identity with innovation.
The masterplan introduces an open urban block, conceived as a permeable and inclusive system. Public arcades, green terraces, and a generous inner courtyard structure a sequence of shared spaces that blur the boundaries between private living and collective life. The use of durable and context-sensitive materials, such as brick and recycled aluminum, reinforces both the longevity of the buildings and their relationship with the local urban fabric.
Urban Eden places particular emphasis on the quality of shared and communal spaces, conceived as key components of contemporary living. These include a communal kitchen, a shared library, relaxation areas, and community hubs, all supported by digital connectivity and smart services. Together, they foster social interaction while responding to evolving lifestyles.
Located at a strategic urban junction, just minutes from Prague’s city center, the airport, and major transport hubs, the complex is envisioned as a reference point for sustainable urban living. The energy strategy is based on fully electric buildings, low-inertia radiant systems, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, green roofs, and integrated photovoltaic panels, contributing to reduced environmental impact and enhanced comfort.
From a structural perspective, the project explores innovation through the volumetric articulation of the residential units. Shifts and offsets in the building volumes are resolved through a hybrid, largely invisible structural grid that ensures both visual lightness and spatial flexibility. Timber, including prefabricated elements, is used in selected parts of the construction, reinforcing sustainability and construction efficiency.
Urban Eden aspires to become a new urban landmark for Prague: an architecture that is recognizable yet restrained, capable of communicating its identity without excess. Beyond the built form, the project anticipates the development of a dedicated visual identity, extending to customized objects and communication tools, amplifying its symbolic presence within the city.
