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The international architectural competition was held with the aim to gain an urban vision for a city centre site in Brno, Czech Republic. The client is the Technical University of Brno (VUT) who envision the site to be their new home for Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Architecture and Centre for Education and Consultancy. The site in its existing state is a worn out space cluttered with disused temporary structures and weed tree species. It is partly bordered by two listed historical buildings dating back to the 1880's. Their original function was to house army barracks. The site requires orientation, spatial character, clarity and above all a new entrance. As a first step towards successful urban revision we are proposing the demolition of a low storey pavillion connecting the two palaces. By releasing its form a new public space is created to serve as an entrance to both faculties and their adjacent new public garden. It serves as a social urban platform encouraging informal meetings and pause in what's a very busy cent- |
ral city location. The extensions of both existing buildings change their passive street orientation into an actively engaged relationship with the newly proposed university garden. Their forms and sizes are derived from required S.O.R. Main design criteria was economy and general flexibility of academic spaces. Great care was paid in designating informal social and study spaces in relevant zones.The relationship between old and new architecture is intensely physical, without gaps that usually result in expensive glazed atriums or lightwells. The sharp cubic forms of the new extensions cover their bones with a soft vail made of large copper perforated pannels. The presence of pavillions is diffused and three dimensional, reflecting sun, light and nature. Their brown tone reflects earthly position within a natural, rather than urban context. > Project team |
