Water House
visitor center EVL Želivka
Location — The building stands in an open cultural landscape in the beautiful surroundings of Vlašim. The choice of building type and the form of the building as an archetypal farmstead was the most important architectural motive. The entire consideration of architectural principle was guided by the effort to ensure that the object naturally blended into the surrounding landscape.
The Water House was created as an information center for the CSOP Vlašim. Its main purpose is to inform visitors about water as a habitat and about water sources for humans. Both of these fundamental themes were not chosen randomly: the proximity of the Švihov dam on the Želivka, as one of the most important water sources for Prague in this beautiful landscape, offers great possibilities. From the Water House as a base, visitors will go on excursions to the facilities near the dam, and the Water House can become a starting point for trips into the surrounding nature.
Urban Planning Solution — The basic urban planning concept is based on the initial consideration of what buildings are natural in open, undeveloped landscapes. These are cemeteries, farms, fortresses, or castles. We chose the archetypal shape of a farmstead, a strong structure with a rectangular floor plan. This shape is delineated by a wall, similar to what is found in a farmstead. Within this rectangle, we inserted the building and the courtyard as two additional rectangles. This basic consideration was transformed into the language of contemporary architecture.
From the visitor's perspective, the area can be divided into two parts depending on whether they are inside the closed shape or outside: that is, the Water House itself, or the outdoor elements. These outdoor elements include ponds and wetlands, which will offer visitors additional opportunities to glimpse into aquatic habitats.
Architectural Solution — The entire object is clad on the outside with gabion elements made of local stone. Together with a green roof, it almost blends in with the surrounding landscape. On paths leading from the parking area, excursions will reach the courtyard of the Water House. Here, visitors should be surprised by a different type of aquatic world: water toys, a waterfall, a stream, and geysers should satisfy children of various ages. They will serve as an attraction for visiting the Water House, as well as a place for relaxation after educational programs or after visiting the dam. Inside the Water House, there is an entrance hall with an information desk, restrooms for visitors, and an office for staff. From here, visitors can access either the lecture hall or the internal exhibition area. This area playfully and educationally presents the phenomenon of water as a habitat and as an essential resource for humans. The entire exhibition culminates in a view underwater in the pond, where visitors can observe local aquatic flora and fauna in natural conditions—as it appears in the water bodies in the surrounding landscape.
Built area of the Water House: 600 m²
Volume: 3000 m³
Atrium area: 475 m²
Water area of the exhibition tank: max. 900 m²
The Water House was created as an information center for the CSOP Vlašim. Its main purpose is to inform visitors about water as a habitat and about water sources for humans. Both of these fundamental themes were not chosen randomly: the proximity of the Švihov dam on the Želivka, as one of the most important water sources for Prague in this beautiful landscape, offers great possibilities. From the Water House as a base, visitors will go on excursions to the facilities near the dam, and the Water House can become a starting point for trips into the surrounding nature.
Urban Planning Solution — The basic urban planning concept is based on the initial consideration of what buildings are natural in open, undeveloped landscapes. These are cemeteries, farms, fortresses, or castles. We chose the archetypal shape of a farmstead, a strong structure with a rectangular floor plan. This shape is delineated by a wall, similar to what is found in a farmstead. Within this rectangle, we inserted the building and the courtyard as two additional rectangles. This basic consideration was transformed into the language of contemporary architecture.
From the visitor's perspective, the area can be divided into two parts depending on whether they are inside the closed shape or outside: that is, the Water House itself, or the outdoor elements. These outdoor elements include ponds and wetlands, which will offer visitors additional opportunities to glimpse into aquatic habitats.
Architectural Solution — The entire object is clad on the outside with gabion elements made of local stone. Together with a green roof, it almost blends in with the surrounding landscape. On paths leading from the parking area, excursions will reach the courtyard of the Water House. Here, visitors should be surprised by a different type of aquatic world: water toys, a waterfall, a stream, and geysers should satisfy children of various ages. They will serve as an attraction for visiting the Water House, as well as a place for relaxation after educational programs or after visiting the dam. Inside the Water House, there is an entrance hall with an information desk, restrooms for visitors, and an office for staff. From here, visitors can access either the lecture hall or the internal exhibition area. This area playfully and educationally presents the phenomenon of water as a habitat and as an essential resource for humans. The entire exhibition culminates in a view underwater in the pond, where visitors can observe local aquatic flora and fauna in natural conditions—as it appears in the water bodies in the surrounding landscape.
Built area of the Water House: 600 m²
Volume: 3000 m³
Atrium area: 475 m²
Water area of the exhibition tank: max. 900 m²
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