Nation memory institute

CTU in Prague - Faculty of Architecture

Project idea

New institute for czech society that should provide knowledge of history of our nation in different ways - an interactive cognition with a human aspect as well as a scientific research of historical documents - so they can together form social awareness of history because it has still significant influence on presence.

Project description

Our task was to design an urbanistic and architectural concept for an island in the iddle of Prague. We decided to place there this institute for the society in the middle of the city as well as in the middle of nowadays society. The shape of the building is determined by the lenght of archive which contains historical documents of past totalit regimes. The building creates separated square and parks as it to responds to the surrounding conditions of the city. Different characters of spaces creates contrast and tention on the pedestrian level of the island. The access to the building is possible from the city level as well as from the island. Under the archive are placed public functions - cafe, expositions, cinemas and shop. Above the main archive are located offices, workshop classes and lecture hall.

Technical information

Main constraction is made of reinforced concrete frame. Archive itself is placed in 11 meters, above the 100 years flooding boundary. Building us placed upon foundations made of concrete piles. Brick facade is chosen beacouse of it's ability to deal with vast surfaces. Building is placed upon foundations made of concrete piles. Brick facade is chosen beacouse of it's ability to deal with vast surfaces. Ceiling construction beneath the archive is designed so that it can carry the weight of all the stored documents without the need of support in the space of gallery. Therefore we chose beams made of prestressed.reinforced concrete 1.5meters high that also create very specific space beneath them

Co-authors

Bc. Bohdan Bonka