Masaryk Railway Station is a somewhat forgotten place where the history of the new Czech Republic was written. With the construction of the Prague Main Railway Station, Masaryk Railway Station lost its luster and its status as the city’s main station. The area around the station gradually turned into a parking lot, and the quality of the public space deteriorated to its current state. We propose a new gateway to the city—a space that allows for free movement, with opportunities for brief stops and modular facilities for exhibitions or food festivals. This underutilized space near the station has the potential to become a new, vibrant square.

The design consists of a combination of elements that are permeable, comfortable, modular, and safe. The surfaces define the spatial composition and clearly delineate the zones. Modular street furniture complements the space for everyday activities. At the heart of the entire concept is a grid of concrete “railroad crossties” that radiate outward from the station. This grid naturally delineates the space without creating clear boundaries and further references the adjacent rail yard. In the design, we decided to incorporate water in the form of small fountains. Given the “heat island” phenomenon, we consider the placement of trees in public spaces to be key to ensuring comfort in overheated city centers.

Unfortunately, the water features in the square are not in operational in 2026.