VIEW FROM THE STREET
SITE
SITUATION
GROUNDFLOOR LAYOUT
VIEWS
VISUALISATIONS
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
There is a very nice vacant site in Palackého street in Prague 1, right next to the Václavské square. It is only 10m wide but connected with inner courtyard. I have found this place very interesting especially because it is right in the centre of Prague and it is waiting for some new use. Before my master degree project I was studying half year in Mexico and I started to love culture od latin America. After my come back I have done a research if we have some facility in Prague that is focused on this culture....but I did not find it. That is why I have chosen this function and I have located it on this gap site. The new cultural centre will be focused on presentation of countries of latin America.
The site is located on very busy place of Prague centre. During the research I have found out it is possible to connect courtyard of the site with Mysak gallery (shopping gallery) and gain a connection to the Franciscan garden. Franciscan garden is hidden in the middle of a big block of houses and it is a calm island for many people in the city. The courtyard is not in a good condition now, partly occupied with one floor high houses extensions. I decided to clean the courtyard in order to win small square surrounded by Mysak gallery(in basement, first and second floor are shops, in upper floors are offices and flats facing to the courtyard and to Franciscan garden) and new centre of latin America. For Prague 1 are typical small passages and secret junctions, this would be a new one. Joining centre with Mysak would be beneficial to both of them: Mysak would benefit from visitors going to the centre and vice versa.
The basic geometry consist of two volumes joined by a bridge. One building is in row of houses in Palackého street, the second one is in the courtyard, the bridge is placed in the 5th floor. The main idea was to open new space in the courtyard accessible from Palackého street. The ground floor is quite open and space is flowing on both sides of the building as there is 50cm gap there. Both buildings are covered with perforated metal. Through the penetrations one can see very bright colours in the interior. There is a big contrast between ‘‘european’’ facade and mexican colours inside. The perforated metal works as sun protection as well, the size of the penetrations depends on the oriention. The second plan of the facade is fully glazed. In building A (facing to Palackého street) is main entrance to the centre, lobby, library and gallery connected with building B (in courtyard). In building B is multifunctional hall (salsa lessons etc.) with changing rooms and showers, flat of housekeeper, background for employees, wine shop. Wineshop is connected with gallery in building A. In the basement are park places for the employees sharing acces with parking for Mysak gallery (ground floor, corner house) New centre is focused on a presentation of countries of latin America. The idea was that the presenting countries will change because it will definitely be cheaper for them.
INTERIOR VISUALISATION
