Department Store Labe
Description
The department store in Ústí nad Labem (sales area approx. 6000 m²) is an unmistakable realization: characterized by two massive concrete towers - vertical cores (with suspended floors between them) on the east and west sides of the building, which is elongated in this axis. The facade (panels with aluminum cladding and partial glazing) stands out with its deep sculpturally rhythmizing, vertical serrated division, possibly inspired by the theme of partially opened shutters. This structures the extensive area this time and provides the building, which sprawls in the center of Ústí nad Labem, with undeniable impressiveness - that is, what we rightfully expect in the city center. At the same time, the mentioned division creates a kind of second plan - linking to the scale of the torso of the historic core.
Interpretation
The work with the aluminum shell was a significant innovation at the time of its creation (cf. Department Store in Dresden, arch. F.Simon, I.Fokvari; 1972-78, demolished 2008), the chosen solution was also an architectural gesture that sensitively supported verticality in the historic core and became a gesture co-creating the context. The building by architect R. Žertová was, in terms of its architectural solution and applied technologies, in today's language, "up to date" in an international context. Its aesthetic effect, especially on the longer sides of the building, articulated a monolith. If urban planners (Jan Jehlík) still evaluate this department store's realization today as a contribution, a benefit for the center, it should be mentioned that architect Žertová achieved values with her buildings in the seventies that were not common in that decade (the context was not very considered abroad, and often completely disregarded here). Since the early nineties, based on a quality zoning plan (authored by Roman Koucký), there has been a gradual construction in the center. The department store by Růžena Žertová has become a natural part of it.
Beneš, Ondřej. Methods of Exploring and Interpreting Architecture, Prague: ČVUT, 2016, pp. 131-132
The department store in Ústí nad Labem (sales area approx. 6000 m²) is an unmistakable realization: characterized by two massive concrete towers - vertical cores (with suspended floors between them) on the east and west sides of the building, which is elongated in this axis. The facade (panels with aluminum cladding and partial glazing) stands out with its deep sculpturally rhythmizing, vertical serrated division, possibly inspired by the theme of partially opened shutters. This structures the extensive area this time and provides the building, which sprawls in the center of Ústí nad Labem, with undeniable impressiveness - that is, what we rightfully expect in the city center. At the same time, the mentioned division creates a kind of second plan - linking to the scale of the torso of the historic core.
Interpretation
The work with the aluminum shell was a significant innovation at the time of its creation (cf. Department Store in Dresden, arch. F.Simon, I.Fokvari; 1972-78, demolished 2008), the chosen solution was also an architectural gesture that sensitively supported verticality in the historic core and became a gesture co-creating the context. The building by architect R. Žertová was, in terms of its architectural solution and applied technologies, in today's language, "up to date" in an international context. Its aesthetic effect, especially on the longer sides of the building, articulated a monolith. If urban planners (Jan Jehlík) still evaluate this department store's realization today as a contribution, a benefit for the center, it should be mentioned that architect Žertová achieved values with her buildings in the seventies that were not common in that decade (the context was not very considered abroad, and often completely disregarded here). Since the early nineties, based on a quality zoning plan (authored by Roman Koucký), there has been a gradual construction in the center. The department store by Růžena Žertová has become a natural part of it.
Beneš, Ondřej. Methods of Exploring and Interpreting Architecture, Prague: ČVUT, 2016, pp. 131-132
The English translation is powered by AI tool. Switch to Czech to view the original text source.
0 comments
add comment
