Rethinking the city
The work of Ondřej Chybík and Michal Krištof is currently on display as part of the “MORE IS NOW! New Czech Architecture” at the Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM) in Frankfurt am Main. The exhibition, held to celebrate the Czech Republic's Guest of Honour status at the Frankfurt Book Fair, showcases the work of a new generation of Czech architects until 17 January 2027. Many of these projects explore the repurposing of existing structures and the responsible use of resources.
The Jihlava Municipal Arena, designed by CHYBÍK + KRIŠTOF, is among the projects being presented in Frankfurt. This multifunctional venue, which has 5,650 seats, was built on the site of a former ice hockey stadium and remains deliberately anchored in the centre of Jihlava. Instead of a single, large-scale enclosed structure, an ensemble of four buildings has been created, linking the park, the university and the city centre. Public spaces, new walkways and a freely accessible running track on the roof extend the use of the site beyond event operations. A defining feature is the arena's close integration with the surrounding area. Existing spatial relationships have been incorporated and supplemented with additional functions and new public spaces. Consequently, the arena is perceived as part of the urban fabric rather than an isolated structure.
The subsequent exhibition, 'CHYBIK + KRISTOF = Building the Existing City', will be shown at the Aedes – Architecture and Space gallery in Berlin from 22 October to 3 December 2026. During this period, the gallery will serve as an open studio, where designs for four sites in Berlin will be developed. These will be selected via the open call, '4 Transformations for Berlin'. The aim is to identify places and projects in Berlin that are on the cusp of change and could inspire architectural designs. Those who can apply include public institutions, property owners, housing cooperatives, project developers, and cultural, educational, and neighbourhood initiatives.
Throughout the exhibition, the CHYBÍK + KRIŠTOF team will further develop the four selected projects within the gallery space, presenting them to the public at the end. This will be complemented by the practice’s international projects, as well as by lectures, film screenings and workshops. Unlike a traditional exhibition, this presentation takes the form of an ongoing design process, the results of which will only become apparent as the exhibition progresses.
