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Architects: IO Studio
- Area: 250 m²
- Year: 2015
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Photographs:Martin Kocic
Text description provided by the architects. Campus of Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Suchdol was built in the 60s of the last century and represents an exceptional example of urban and landscape creation of that time. Campus includes the rector's office, classrooms, laboratories, lecture hall etc. The entire complex is built in a single architectural style of neo functionalism, which is recognized by monolithic reinforced concrete frame with inserted sheet cladded with mosaic tiles. Buildings of individual faculties are distinguished from each other by color of the mosaic. Thanks to the consistent format and window structure, it creates a unified style for all individual buildings.
Before start of Atrium construction, existing building of Faculty of Economics and adjacent building of lecture hall were interconnected by connecting corridor. Place for future completion of the atrium is located in the place of former connecting corridor.
This outbuilding replaces the original connecting corridor, which did not fit for the capacity and functionality. Basic functions of Atrium were to connect two parts of a faculty and to enhance place for relaxation and social activities. The building contributes to solve the lack of capacity of faculty and responds to the lack of common space with the onslaught of a growing number of new students. Current PEF space for the free movement and dispersal of students are poor and Atrium will serve students in the time between lectures. This space will allow students to work independently in their own free time in satisfactory conditions, and it will provide space for work or entertainment.
The design of Atrium has a continuity to the existing architecture of the surrounding buildings and creates a natural connection between the main building Faculty of Economics and the lecture pavilion. Its shape comes from the surrounding buildings and it fits into an existing context. We applied same skeleton structural system like surrounding buildings from 60s. The main advantage of the proposal is that building is ideally situated on the site and therefore students gain access to the northern part of the garden that was previously for closed for students. Students will be able to actively use the garden in the summer period when inner space of atrium will be extended out.
The building is based on drilled piles in 600mm or 900mm diameter, where monolithic reinforced concrete plates are placed, these go around the whole circuit of the object grouplan. The supporting structure of the building is made from reinforced concrete. Supporting columns are of constant cross section of 350mm x 350mm. Bearing walls are thick 150, 200, 350 mm. Ceiling structure of the 1st and 2nd floor is made as a reinforced concrete in 300 mm thickness. The roof has flat design.
Facades are designed as visible reinforced concrete walls with structural glass.
Inner space is without paint and exposes a texture of concrete. Interior wall attached to the lecture pavilion is an acoustic wall and is made of veneered perforated sheet.
Glass facades are made with aluminium construction system. The height between the floor and ceiling is 6800mm. From an architectural point of view we preferred vertical character, which we achieved by slimming the supporting aluminium columns so it looks like blades. Those are designed in T-shaped. All aluminium surfaces are covered by powder color in RAL 7016 FINE TEXTURE shade.
All the interior furniture is designed atypically by IO Studio. We use only natural material, natural oak natural leather and steel.
Total floor area is 250.8 square meters ( -173.5 m2 1st floor and 2nd floor - 77.3 m2 ). The total built -up area is 236.4 square meters. The orientation of the building - main façade of atrium looks southern.
