Bem to present National Library chief with list of alternative sites for new building

Prague's mayor, Pavel Bem, is set to hold talks next week with Czech National Library director Vlastimil Jezek on the future of a planned new National Library building. The Czech Press Agency reported that Mr Bem is set to present Mr Jezek with a list of alternative sites for a building that was originally planned for Prague's Letna Plain. The mayor says Letna is too near the centre of the city for the brightly coloured modern building, designed by architect Jan Kaplicky.

Civic Democrat Prague councillor Martin Langmayer said if a new location is selected Mr Kaplicky's plan will probably have to be abandoned; moving the project to another site would contravene International Union of Architects guidelines, he said.

Author: Ian Willoughby