Prague Exhibition Grounds are an important and unique space in the structure of the wider center of Prague. The site was created by carving it out of the Stromovka Park on the occasion of the Jubilee Land Exhibition held in 1891, and is historically an important representative of the 19th century exhibition style.

The current appearance of the site suffers from the poor technical condition of the individual buildings and adjacent spaces, which stems from long-term neglect and the effects of natural elements (floods, fires). Since 2015, Prague Exhibition Grounds have been managed by Výstaviště Praha, a. s., whose sole shareholder is the City of Prague.

It is the intention of the capital city to gradually renovate the whole of Prague Exhibition Grounds which, in connection with the the Troja Basin and Stromovka, have the potential to become a unique multi-functional zone for all-day recreation in the wider center of Prague.

Architectural competition: The Prague Exhibition Grounds entrance gates is one of the first projects in the overall renovation of the complex. The modification of the entrance area is an opportunity to start the gradual transformation of the Prague Exhibition Grounds - after all, the entrance area is the gateway to the entire complex and is also the space that visitors to the Prague Exhibition Grounds and casual passers-by see first.

The subject of the competition was the preparation of an architectural design for the modification of the main entrance to the Prague Exhibition Grounds, i.e. the construction of two new entrance gates with facilities and the cultivation of the adjacent public spaces. The fencing and ticket offices will also be modified, while the placement of advertising and communication areas will be revised. The forecourt modification will also include the addition of furnishings, lighting, vegetation and water features.

“The aim of the design is to create a dignified forecourt for the Prague Exhibition Grounds and at the same time to highlight the currently suppressed axes of the secondary entrance and entrance to Stromovka. The main axis of the site and the secondary axes converge onto the newly designed square, which serves as a starting point and central public open space for meetings, events and relaxation. Each direction is accentuated by a pair of pylons that will guide visitors and casual passers-by to specific places. The design of the furnishings and all the newly designed elements are related to the architecture of the Industrial Palace” (quote from an abstract of the competition proposal)

After its renovation, the entrance area will become a dignified forecourt for the Prague Exhibition Grounds, open to the public as much as possible, a representative and cultural-social space connected to the structure of the surrounding city.