Nové Dvory | A Small City Within Prague
Nové Dvory Block 6 introduces a new residential neighbourhood in Prague, reinterpreting the traditional European urban block as a contemporary, diverse and sustainable piece of city. Conceived as a small city rather than a single housing development, the project brings together 499 apartments, public amenities, active ground floors and green courtyards within a coherent architectural ensemble. The design combines the density and efficiency of compact urban living with the individuality, character and human scale of traditional Prague neighbourhoods.
The proposal draws inspiration from the rich spatial diversity of Prague’s historic urban blocks, where streets, gateways, passages and courtyards create a continuous interplay between public and private life. Situated near the future Nové Dvory metro station and planned tram connections, the development contributes to the transformation of the area into a vibrant new urban district. Two complementary blocks establish a distinctive urban structure, each with its own identity and relationship to the surrounding city.
The architectural composition is defined by a carefully articulated sequence of individual buildings, varied heights and expressive façades. A continuous urban edge provides coherence, while changes in scale and materiality establish recognisable addresses. The composition gradually rises towards a prominent residential tower at the northeastern corner, creating a new landmark for the neighbourhood. Distinctive arched passages connect the streets with the inner courtyards, reinterpreting traditional architectural forms and referencing the site’s historic monastery. A palette of plaster, ceramic elements and metal in warm earthy tones, complemented by terracotta and green accents, reinforces the identity of the individual buildings while maintaining a unified architectural character.
Public life is central to the design. A generous urban square at the foot of the tower provides space for markets, cafés and neighbourhood activities. Shops, restaurants and community facilities activate the ground floors, while pedestrian passages connect the surrounding streets with landscaped courtyards and residential gardens. The larger block encloses a generous green courtyard with terraces and informal gathering spaces, while the smaller block offers a more intimate residential environment. A kindergarten with direct access to a protected garden further strengthens the social infrastructure of the neighbourhood.
The 499 apartments accommodate a diverse range of households through a rational and adaptable residential system. Repeated structural modules and efficient circulation cores support economical construction, flexible layouts and phased development. Independent building sections allow the neighbourhood to grow incrementally without compromising its overall identity. Sustainability is integrated through green roofs, photovoltaic panels, rainwater retention, heat recovery ventilation and landscape design that encourages natural water infiltration and improves the local microclimate.
The result is a contemporary interpretation of Prague’s urban fabric: a neighbourhood that balances architectural diversity with urban coherence, density with liveability, and collective public life with residential intimacy. More than a collection of buildings, Nové Dvory is conceived as a small city in its own right, establishing a resilient and recognisable identity for this emerging part of Prague.
