Barrandez-vous II
Barrandez-vous Residential Complex - Phase II, West Apartment Building
With the completion of the second phase — the West apartment building — the architectural composition of the Barrandez-vous residential ensemble has reached its final urban form.
While Phase I defined the northern and southern edges of the area with two dynamically wavy masses, the task of Phase II was to sensitively delineate and urbanistically close off the western part. The site with a complex, semi-circular morphotype required a specific architectural response.
The eastern part of the composition intentionally remains open. This spatial gesture offers generous views to the internal park and to the living units themselves, as well as distant vistas of the Prague skyline. In the center, between all three buildings, a protected micro-oasis has definitively emerged — a generous internal park designed in collaboration with Atelier Flera, which serves as the heart of the entire community and a green horizon for the residents.
From the perspective of architectural genesis, Phase II represents a formal and conceptual dialogue with the previous phase, though with a different internal logic. Phase I (the North and South buildings) was shaped by a composition of repeating rectangular modules connected by trapezoidal segments with stair cores. The result was a smoothly undulating, organically flowing line encircling the park. In contrast, Phase II (the West building) responds to the complex semi-circular plot with an inverse approach. The structure is assembled by laying out trapezoidal segments to form a semi-circle. Despite the curved overall footprint, the individual facades and facade modules appear strictly rectangular. This achieves a harmonious visual connection to the first two buildings while simultaneously creating a completely autonomous geometric identity.
To prevent the structure in the western part from acting as an impenetrable barrier separating the surrounding landscape from the inner courtyard, we executed a drastic subtraction in the center of its mass: by omitting two modules (“blocks”), a generous two-level passage through the building was created.
This opening lightens the mass of the building, ensures illumination and natural air flow, and primarily creates a physical and visual connection between the surrounding area and the internal park. A suspended bridge, hanging on subtle cables, elegantly connects the northern and southern wings of the building and offers unusual sightlines into the park and the open landscape for all observers.
The Barrandov location is inextricably linked with geological wealth and the tradition of Czech film. The architectural concept incorporates these local reminiscences directly into the material structure of the building. In collaboration with visual artist Josef Zlámal, an authorial relief of a trilobite motif was created for the entrance space, hand-carved directly into the surface of the exposed concrete. The concrete thus breathes a handcrafted texture and a story of the place. The entrance hall is enlivened by suspended glass leaves from the Design Studio of Jaroslav Bejvl.
The clean, cultivated architectural expression of the common areas is enlivened by a color accent in a sophisticated olive hue. This tone is reflected in the steel railings, the surrounds of the elevator shafts, and the navigation system. The graphic signage in the garages works with the motif of a blown dandelion — the logo of the entire Barrandez-vous project.
With the completion of the second phase — the West apartment building — the architectural composition of the Barrandez-vous residential ensemble has reached its final urban form.
While Phase I defined the northern and southern edges of the area with two dynamically wavy masses, the task of Phase II was to sensitively delineate and urbanistically close off the western part. The site with a complex, semi-circular morphotype required a specific architectural response.
The eastern part of the composition intentionally remains open. This spatial gesture offers generous views to the internal park and to the living units themselves, as well as distant vistas of the Prague skyline. In the center, between all three buildings, a protected micro-oasis has definitively emerged — a generous internal park designed in collaboration with Atelier Flera, which serves as the heart of the entire community and a green horizon for the residents.
From the perspective of architectural genesis, Phase II represents a formal and conceptual dialogue with the previous phase, though with a different internal logic. Phase I (the North and South buildings) was shaped by a composition of repeating rectangular modules connected by trapezoidal segments with stair cores. The result was a smoothly undulating, organically flowing line encircling the park. In contrast, Phase II (the West building) responds to the complex semi-circular plot with an inverse approach. The structure is assembled by laying out trapezoidal segments to form a semi-circle. Despite the curved overall footprint, the individual facades and facade modules appear strictly rectangular. This achieves a harmonious visual connection to the first two buildings while simultaneously creating a completely autonomous geometric identity.
To prevent the structure in the western part from acting as an impenetrable barrier separating the surrounding landscape from the inner courtyard, we executed a drastic subtraction in the center of its mass: by omitting two modules (“blocks”), a generous two-level passage through the building was created.
This opening lightens the mass of the building, ensures illumination and natural air flow, and primarily creates a physical and visual connection between the surrounding area and the internal park. A suspended bridge, hanging on subtle cables, elegantly connects the northern and southern wings of the building and offers unusual sightlines into the park and the open landscape for all observers.
The Barrandov location is inextricably linked with geological wealth and the tradition of Czech film. The architectural concept incorporates these local reminiscences directly into the material structure of the building. In collaboration with visual artist Josef Zlámal, an authorial relief of a trilobite motif was created for the entrance space, hand-carved directly into the surface of the exposed concrete. The concrete thus breathes a handcrafted texture and a story of the place. The entrance hall is enlivened by suspended glass leaves from the Design Studio of Jaroslav Bejvl.
The clean, cultivated architectural expression of the common areas is enlivened by a color accent in a sophisticated olive hue. This tone is reflected in the steel railings, the surrounds of the elevator shafts, and the navigation system. The graphic signage in the garages works with the motif of a blown dandelion — the logo of the entire Barrandez-vous project.
under-construction architects
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