Prague - Despite the heated debate over the new building of the National Library, chances are that the futuristic building designed by the world renown architect Jan Kaplický, will be constructed in Letná park, as originally planned, after all.

It could still be moved somewhere elese, but the author would have to give his consent. This is one of the conclusions presented to the city hall by an expert team of lawyers, one of the three advisory boards reviewing the project.

The lawyers have agreed on this unanimously last week, they said.

The question of legality of the international competition won by Kaplický´s futuristic blob design, popularly known as The Octopus, was resolved in a similar manner - the team found it in accord with the law on public contracts. This time, however, their verdict wasn't unanimous, as one expert concluded the competition had been flawed.

Prague Mayor Pavel Bém and the National Library director Vastimil Ježek (left to right) | Foto: Ludvík Hradilek

In spite of this, the decision is an important step towards a final resolution of the dispute between the city council and the National Library representatives (plus the architect).

"Personally, I believe that this verdict should dispel many people's doubts," said Vlastimil Ježek, the director of the main library in the Czech Republic.

The decision is to be presented to the Library's presidium later this month.

In spite of all complications, Ježek is still convinced that the project will be realized in Letná Park, as imagined by the library representatives and the multi-awarded, Czech-born, London-based architect himself.

Autor fotografie: Ludvík Hradilek

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"I believe that after discussions with the National Library and the city hall, our team of lawyers, architects, and conservationists will conclude the same," said Ježek, responding to one of many questions in a recent on-line interview on Aktuálně.cz.

He also explained that the author's original intention was for the structure to have a color of "champagne", not the flashy combination of green and violet, used frequently in media demonstrations.

As for the timing estimates, Ježek said he still hopes the Library will be fully functional in the year 2012.