Completion of the Atrium of the Faculty of Philosophy on Jan Palach square in Prague.

TUL - Technical University of Liberec, Faculty of Architecture

Project idea

I had the task of completing the Faculty of Philosophy. The school building is located in the center of the capital. In the yard, I have designed new spaces for guests and school users.
After spending some time at the philosophical faculty, I began to feel the building as a mechanism, like a machine. I think the school should work as an organism, as a living organism. That is why I create in the center of the organism - the heart and brain that should be there.

Project description

The heart and the brain are the most important things. They solve many processes. And I want them to work together. The heart must have peace and positive emotions, so I create cafe and terraces. The brain must think flexible and versatile. That's why I suggest the exhibition spaces, but when there is no show, there are reading rooms. Reading room is the first thing I thought to suggest. The school has these spaces that are completely down and without the sunlight. I have invented a process, when someone from the faculty wants to relax, take a book and go to the proposed reading room, and on the way can buy a drink in the cafe, then leave a book in the area below, where the library is partly located. There is also the opportunity to go to an exhibition where people can enrich.
Exhibition areas are for the faculty and the public. Purchase of ticket is at the gatehouse. In order for the guests don’t go to school I have improved the existing lift and have added a new exit to the opposite side and increased for the disabled people. That gives guests the opportunity to go through the concierge, buy tickets and go up the lift. I changed the reception too. Supplying the exhibition will not be frequent and will go through the existing elevator at the back of the building near the entrance to the courtyard where is the ramp. Above it goes through the designed corridor. There is a toilet, including a disabled room. The faculty on the same floor is also have a toilet, but I decided that if people come to an exhibition or a cafe not go to school.

Technical information

For every new space there is a skylight, and it can be closed when it’s necessary. I checked the sun's spinning, and I designed the functions and turning the lamp. For example the reading room has year-round lighting. The reading room has a restroom. There are no tables and standard chairs. The area that is connected with the corridor also serves for rest and workshops. That room is connected with a staircase to a cafe. Where are sold bakery products and drinks. Only coffee and tea are cooked. Refreshments and other supplies go through the dining elevator, located behind the cash desk.
I want to go back to my thoughts with heart and brain. It comes to me that the yard is a symbolic place in the closed square of the building. Where are the s smooth forms and functions that enrich the entire building and give it a new life. Public spaces unite people like I connect completion of the construction with the faculty. Like the brain or the heart I connect the stairs with the body.

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