EXPOZ - Railway museum

CTU in Prague - Faculty of Civil Engineering

Project idea

//Design concept:

The scope of the thesis was the conversion of the historical paint shop of the former locomotive yard. I focused on the historical value and characteristic features of the central part of the paint shop.

The lines are retained with the added value of the high-rise building and the footbridge which compositionally balances the opposing building.

There were applied three basic principles throughout the proposal. First of all, I paid attention to the simplicity or even sterility of the architectural expression, which gives space for technically complex (in most cases colourful) exhibits to stand out.

Furthermore, the inverse proportion between horizontal articulation versus vertical simplicity helps the high-rise building to draw attention to itself.

And last but not least, I apply two directions based on the angle of connection of the footbridge to the high-rise building.These directions are reflected throughout the building.

Project description

The thesis in a direct connection with a pre-diploma project of the urban concept of the territory from Masaryk Railway Station, through Florenc to the Park Těšnov deals with the conversion of part of the industrial workshop complex of Masaryk Railway Station in Prague - Specifically, the extension to the original paint shop building. this creates a museum with a very strategic location in the immediate vicinity of the railway yard. 

The entrances to the building are located at the expected visitor flow points. After purchasing a ticket, you can seamlessly walk through the indoor and outdoor areas with exhibits and models without having to return the same way or walk around the entire building.

By opening up the interior of the paint shop while maintaining the exterior appearance, I was able to connect the main exhibition spaces on the first and second floors with the opportunity to view the exhibits from above. The entire exhibition is accompanied by elements of tracks, both real ones usable for handling of exhibits and symbolic ones in the floor to indicate the direction of the tour. A small but important detail for me is the 1435 mm track gauge, which is also taken up by the dimensions of the staircases. The 1435 mm gauge is also applied in the design of the ground floor and the terrace of the bistro.

As part of the exhibition route, you can take a short ride on the historic locomotive, assisted by a train porter, to the eastern building with other exhibits.

EXPOZ is a place not only for train enthusiasts who will find here historically valuable exhibits or their scaled-down models. The exhibition is enriched with projection corners and an interactive exhibition of the future, a simulator and also a small bistro in direct connection with the green area of the roof designed for relaxation.

The top floors are used for employees and as technical areas Employees have not only facilities and offices here, but also a relaxation or central leisure room.

Technical information

//Main load-bearing structure, foundation:
The horizontal structure consists of ceiling beams made of HEA 100 profile, which are carried by trusses over the entire span of the hall (max.14m). The vertical structure consists of steel columns TR 324x25. The hall is horizontally reinforced with cross bracing in the level of the ceiling and roof. In the transverse direction, the horizontal forces are transferred by means of a embedded base and in the longitudinal direction by means of longitudinal bracing.

To eliminate differential settlement, the building is founded on group piles whose heads are fitted with monolithic drilled footings.
Part of the building is encased in a triple-arched frame with framed corners.

The new building is sheathed with a lightweight cladding. All elements will be supplied by the contractor. The lightweight cladding is anchored to the steel beams. Integrated automated shading systems in the form of screen blinds are applied on the south side in areas without the application of perforated sheet metal to maintain an overheat protection and outward visibility.

The high-rise building is wrapped with perforated sheet metal, which is anchored into the frame structure based on straps placed on footings. The frame is locally attached to the building structure.

//Paint shop:
The perimeter walls of the original paint shop are retained. The internal structures have been demolished and the trusses exposed towards the interior. The gallery construction is embedded in the perimeter walls from the outside and is suspended on steel bars from the inside. (This is a conceptual solution within the framework of the thesis. A statics assessment will be required for all structures in case of realisation.) A statics) assessment will be carried out for all structures in case of implementation.

Documentation

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