Contemporary Art Gallery

CTU in Prague - Faculty of Civil Engineering

Project idea

The idea of the design is freedom. It shapes every artwork and it is also connected to the canonization of Agnes of Bohemia, who is behind the foundation of the nearby convent. Therefore the building is gradually breaking through its rigid full wall form to the loose glass tower.
Another shaping influence are the towers of The Old Prague Town and the desire to fill the panoramatic view from Letná lookout, where the saint Salvator church graduates to the ministry. The graduating shape also expresses and underlines the iconic views at the Prague castle, Old Town and Letná district.

Project description

The Contemporary Art Gallery is located at the Dvořákovo waterfront, in between the convent of saint Agnes and the hospital Na Františku. The site is excelently accessible by foot, public transportation and car, with the 1st basement providing parking for visitors and staff. The entrance to the parking is situated at the embankment and secured with the anti-flood hydraulic gate. The main entrance to the gallery is on the side of the convent, while the entrance for supplying is in the Kozí street. The restaurant has a separate entrance from the waterfront, thus enabling independence on the opening hours of the gallery.

The gallery offers three exhibition halls, two of them without any illumination of the natural sungliht. One of the halls is accomodated to digital art exhibitions. Apart from the exhibitions, the gallery has its own conference hall and a gift shop. The upper floors contain a skybar with a beautiful view over the Prague castle, Letná district and the future Vltavská Philharmony. Above the skybar, the exterior lookout is a perfect spot for undistrubed view over Prague. The parterre connects to the convent's garden, where a stage with a projection wall is designed and intended for usage by both buildings. The southern side works as an exterior gallery with curved walls installed as canvas.

Technical information

The load-bearing structures are made of steel space frame, which allows the building to have its organic shape. The space frame is supported by load-bearing concrete walls and collumns. The full facade is made from copper plates attached to GFRP panels with thermal insulation below. Glass parts of the facade are done with a curved triple glazing. Curves of the building are emphasized by LED lights.

Documentation

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