Abdulaziz Al-Nesayan, Abdulrahman Al-Eidy , Mohammed Al-Rufayi, Sultan Al-Harbi
student
Qassim University
Saudi Arabia
Architecture
The concept philosophy Let There Be Light! The project is located at Zahrádky Castle, a historic structure in the Liberec region, scarred by fire in 2003 yet… more
Esmaeil GHASEMZADEH
advisor
Islamic Republic of Iran
My architecture begins in silence — in listening to the ground before drawing a line.I do not seek… more
This project proposes a poetic and ambitious approach to the revival of Zahrádky Castle, positioning light as both a symbolic and architectural driver. Rather than focusing on literal restoration, the design introduces a layered system of contemporary interventions—timber walkways, rooftop paths, and light-filtering structures—that coexist with the preserved historic shell and reinterpret its spatial potential .
From a site and master-planning perspective, the proposal successfully expands the castle into a cultural landscape. The integration of memorial paths, secondary buildings, and activity zones creates a clear experiential sequence and reinforces the castle’s role as a public and social anchor. The project demonstrates a strong sensitivity to context, landscape, and movement, particularly through the careful orchestration of pedestrian circulation.
Architecturally, the contrast between the solid historic mass and the lightweight, translucent additions is well controlled. The use of timber and crystal-inspired glass elements strengthens the conceptual narrative while maintaining visual distinction between old and new. Overall, the project shows a mature conceptual vision and a confident design language appropriate for a heritage-based competition proposal.
Esmaeil Ghasemzadeh
My advice is to further refine the architectural hierarchy and realism of the interventions. While the concept of light and movement is compelling, some added elements—such as elevated walkways and recreational features—would benefit from clearer prioritization to avoid visual competition with the historic structure. Strengthening the distinction between primary architectural gestures and secondary experiential installations would improve spatial legibility.Additionally, the project would gain depth by clarifying the structural logic, safety strategy, and long-term maintenance of the timber and glass systems, especially for elevated and interactive elements. A more selective and focused use of light effects—highlighting key moments rather than distributing them evenly—could further enhance the emotional and architectural impact of the proposal.
Esmaeil Ghasemzadeh
17.12.2025