The building of the railway station in České Budějovice dates back to 1908. The reconstruction of the departure and arrival hall, the new shopping arcade connected to Lannova třída and the new rest area was designed in intensive cooperation with conservationists and with respect for the original form and with emphasis on maximum functionality and the needs of passengers in the 21st century.

The basic architectural principle is purity and a return to the original simple colour scheme. The interior spaces have been cleared of visual smog and inappropriate additions, the historical wall mosaics by the artists Boukal and Březina from the 1970s bearing motifs of the South Bohemian landscape and České Budějovice have been preserved and professionally restored, the end elements have been harmonised into a uniform design and the building has been given a new information system and waiting area.

The use of the renovated building is multifunctional. In addition to the waiting area, passengers will also find shops and services. There are also new offices. The building has been given a new orientation and information system. The interior is now visually cleaner, the period Art Nouveau elements have been preserved.

The reconstruction also includes the construction of a new passage connecting the new entrance to the building from the north with the main concourse. This creates a direct connection to Lanna Avenue, the main link between the station and the centre of České Budějovice. The passage will be enlivened in the future by new shops, cafés and other services.

The area in front of the station has also been transformed. It is now complemented by trees planted in a regular pattern or a drinking fountain with drinking water. The outdoor and indoor furnishings are unified in the same materials and colours, thus symbolically merging the interior into the public space and vice versa.

Restoring the building’s color palette to its original form posed the largest professional challenge. This effort was based on extensive restoration surveys that not only returned the building to a muted color palette but also preserved newer mosaic decorations. The façade is now monochrome, matching the oldest depictions of the station, with the National Heritage Institute heavily involved in ensuring authenticity.

Significant visual enhancements included unifying the architectural features of the building’s two halls. Over time, numerous unsuitable alterations had been made, requiring the removal of inappropriate openings and the addition of new ones that strictly adhered to the original symmetrical design, aligning with the ceiling articulation. Additionally, the restrooms were modernized and repositioned behind the original exposed portals, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.

Lighting also underwent major revisions, particularly in the entrance hall, where outdated flat fluorescent lamps were replaced with original-style tall luminaires, enriching the space’s ambiance. Additional lighting included strategically placed LEDs along the hall ledges, extending upwards, and overhead lights in the departure hall that simulated daylight. These improvements were complemented by simple horizontal lines in the passage and spotlights, maintaining a consistent design theme. Matt brass finishes were used for all unglazed luminaire parts, door handles, and safety stickers, primarily sourced from Czech manufacturers, except for the safety handles found in Spain.

Externally, the surrounding public spaces were redesigned to complement the building and integrate with the existing urban environment, especially near Lanna Avenue. This included maintaining the necessary southern car park, now discreetly integrated with seating and greenery, and establishing a new forecourt in the north with benches, trees, and a drinking fountain for passenger comfort. This area, previously underutilized, now hosts new tenants, revitalizing the space. Additionally, a new roundabout and public transport stop were installed at the main entrance, improving access and connectivity.

These comprehensive renovations not only restored the building’s historical integrity but also adapted it to meet modern needs, ensuring its continued relevance and utility in the urban landscape.