Revitalization of the cultural center in Vodňany - selection of unawarded projects
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Proposal No. 35 - Martin Prokš, Marek Přikryl, Tomáš Kalhous
House - city, a concentrated, intensive house, literally crammed, bursting at the seams - yet the circular shape will not yield. We unite the required functions into a packed active unit. We seek the degree of necessity for intervention in the existing structure. The goal is a house alive throughout the day, strong in form, memorable, open, and gentle to the park, which it opens up to with its ring - benches around the perimeter, and the paths within it, which it lightly touches.
We maintain the large hall space, to which we attach contemporary theater technology. The portal (proscenium) with the stage is preserved despite the built-in "black box," as a good and useful element tinged with nostalgia. The floor is leveled and constructed from variable platforms. Like the large hall, the small hall and library connect to the main foyer, which also serves as a café. The children's center, clubrooms, rehearsal room, as well as changing rooms and offices on the upper floor connect to a smaller, operationally separate foyer. We concentrate the background for the largest possible number of visitors. We utilize the existing technical basement for HVAC. We design the house to be barrier-free.
Proposal No. 28 - Ing.arch. Marek Blank, Ing.arch. Petr Dolejší
Existing and new
The benefit of the existing Municipal Cultural Center building in Vodňany (cultural house) is its current fulfillment with required functions. However, the building does not express this operation towards its surroundings. The object completely lacks a plinth, and its facades are unused, blind, or aesthetically unremarkable. The forecourt of the house forms a barrier towards the city, where, next to the adjacent school, a playground competes with a parking lot and a storage space. Despite the incoherent mass of the building, we see an advantage in the elevated volume of the main hall. In our basic approach to utilizing existing structures, we look for a connection between their purpose and the final expression corresponding to the mission of the object.
The truss roof structure is preserved, as is the structure of the main hall beneath it. The basement volume, where technological and service rooms are located, as well as the volume of the northern single-storey part, are also retained. The southern and western extensions are removed. The object is then connected with a new single-storey extension wrapping around the entire hall. The necessary mass is newly balanced toward the city.
House and city
The renovation of the cultural house considers natural continuity in urban connections. Along the northern part of the object, the pedestrian pathway extending along the existing front of buildings on the southern circuit of the city is drawn out. This path creates an expanded paved forecourt in contact with the object, which, with its depth, corresponds to the height of the building and creates an intimate space between the house and the park. Due to the lowered extension, a natural urban plinth is created. Paths forming a connection with Freedom Square and the bus and train station are preserved. These routes are proportioned according to the historical form of the bridges over the watercourse at the boundary of the city. The connection between the southern part of the city behind the railway line and the bus station is preserved. In the southern part, the route around the alley is modified, naturally supplemented with urban furniture. This way, we are modifying a trodden and even paved path leading diagonally to the south of the object to create an open space that can connect with the main hall.
House and park
The cultural house is situated in a park (Zeyerovy sady), which attracts residents and visitors of the city for short-term relaxation. The northern part of the object is dedicated to everyday functions - a café and library. The library is suitably placed at the entrance to the area next to the adjacent school, where a maternal center and the administrative background of the object are also located. These functions, along with the school, elevate the function of the intermediate space to a vibrant part of the city. The southern facade of the object can open into the garden. The western side is completed with an opening corresponding to the dimension of the hall’s operation, creating an additional entrance to the foyer. Individual functions are thus localized around the central hall. In the grassy area surrounding the southern part of the cultural center, various outdoor events can be organized, and children can play here.
Operation
The dimensions of the main hall under the truss structure allow for the placement of a stage for the required number of spectators as well as the organization of balls. Particularly for ball events, it is possible to open the hall to the main and side foyers. The hall is supplemented with a balcony providing projection and directing space. Adjacent to the hall is storage space. The southern part allows for the opening to an outdoor stage on the facade, which will be used for outdoor events. In the foyer, there is a cloakroom for visitors, a bar, rest furniture, built-in seating, and a separate staircase to the basement toilets for visitors. The café space is directly adjacent to the foyer and can be operationally separated. The reading room and café are oriented towards the park. The main space of the library is logically oriented towards the adjacent school, allowing for additional entrances or exits. The maternal center and office are also oriented into this space complemented by a children's playground. In the basement of the object, there are toilets, a rehearsal room, workshops, a boiler room, and an air conditioning machine room. In the adjacent building of the former scale, there is a separate club space.
Materials and structures
The main expressive element is the separation of the volume of the hall from the neighboring operations. The dark surface of the hall is manifested in its interior, on the facade, and in the foyer. The facades are treated in a neutral light tone. In the main space of the hall and the antechamber, a classic wooden floor is proposed. The hall's cladding consists of cladding panels in a geometric grid. The glazing of the facades is proposed in aluminum profiles with a height and width dimension appropriate for traditional processing and yield. In the courtyard area, glazing has a standard residential dimension.
Park and garden modifications
The reconstructed object is surrounded by woody and herbaceous vegetation of significantly fluctuating aesthetic value. In the proposal, shrubs and beds are removed from the vegetation, leaving only continuous grassy areas and trees. Based on the available passport of public greenery for the administrative area of the town of Vodňany, we recommend the felling of all trees that are assessed as non-conflicting by the environmental department of the Vodňany City Hall. Particularly, the removal of the lime tree situated in close proximity to the entrance area of the proposed building is desirable, as it is very likely that the tilted and poorly vital individual will soon jeopardize the reconstructed object and its visitors. The removed trees should be replaced with proven taxa (such as linden, ash, oak, and horse chestnut). The alley behind the object should be newly planted, gradually withdrawing aging and not very attractive trees.
Paved areas are designed in slightly modified routing of existing ones, emphasizing the scale of areas adjacent to the object. The final layer of the surfaces is executed in natural paving.
Existing memorials remain, with access to them sensitively adjusted with a crushed stone surface. The proposal also addresses the replacement of outdated furniture (benches, public lighting).
Technology
Ventilation of the main hall is forced and slightly underpressure. Air supply is addressed through ducting from the unexposed side of the object, on which a sound damper is mounted leading to the air conditioning machine room. The facility is considered non-smoking and counts on 50 m3 of air per person per hour. The exhaust air is vented over the roof of the object.
Waste heat from exhaust air is utilized by a recuperative unit with a capacity of 10,000 m3 of air per hour. At low outdoor temperatures, when waste heat is not sufficient to warm incoming air, its reheating will be provided by two gas boilers with a total performance of 75-80 kW. Similarly, the anteroom is ventilated and heated.
The main hall is heated via air conditioning, smaller spaces by partial hot water systems, which allow for separate regimes for each operational unit. In the anteroom, a combined system is anticipated.
The proposal is elaborated with an emphasis on achieving low operational costs of the object, particularly in the energy area. Here, considerable attention is paid to thermal insulation of the shell at recommended levels, not just standard values, a quality measurement and control system that ensures flawless cooperation between heating and ventilation, decentralization of hot water heating according to operational sections of the building, the implementation of a recuperative unit that ensures the use of heat from exhaust air, and energy-saving light sources.
The proposed total volume is 14,035 m³.
Proposal No. 4 - Ing.arch. David Novák, Ing.arch. Matej Ruščák, Ing. Dušan Štětina, PhD.
a) Principles of spatial solutions in broader contexts,
The spatial context is given by the construction plot and the position of the building, including broader ties to the surrounding cultural house.
The design shapes the mass of the building according to this concept: The building will no longer be an isolated "lost" mass that is not visible, but will have a partner in this isolated position, as it is said: "two are better than one."
Thus, the lonely mass will come to life, as it gains a new and very educated partner, represented by the library extension. And to fit together, both masses receive a similar fashionable coat in the form of a modern facade with a motif of the structure of branching trees. More precisely, the proposed solution in the space and broader contexts supports the location in the park, which should maximize the use of greenery and bring the two places closer together. Nature is thus reflected in the new proposal, bringing a new clear face to the cultural house.
The established ties of local residents, such as paths, walkways, sidewalks, and streets will remain intact. Residents of Vodňany do not need to learn to walk "differently"... only the changed environment will engage and attract people. They should no longer walk past an impersonal building but around an elegant pair of buildings with a strong common foundation that binds them. The bond represents a plinth full of surprises and attractions, such as a new café, common spaces, and once again nature in the newly created atrium that allows nature - the park to move closer into the interior of the cultural house.
b) Brief clarification of the basic principles of the proposed solution, especially functional content and urbanistic ties, relation to the territorial plan and fulfillment of competition conditions,
The main principle is working with the mass. It is a complete reworking - addition and unification (see scheme - graphic part). Basically, it is the unification of the height of the plinth around the mass of the hall, which is extended in one part and simultaneously complemented by another mass, a kind of "partner" to the main mass of the hall.
The created pairs of the main masses are also the main content of the cultural house - a "black box" as the largest mass of the building and a library in the form of a "partner." The remaining functional program is ensured on the contiguous ground floor. By modifying the mass of the hall and the plinth, a pleasant atrium is created, which ensures a stronger perception of the relationship between man and nature. This relationship is further enhanced by the abstraction of nature in the shell of the main masses of the cultural house.
The functional content is composed of:
1) black box - usable as the largest variable theater hall, cinema, or dance hall for balls, along with a foyer with a cloakroom and bar,
2) library (funds and internet),
3) clubrooms (or rehearsal rooms) for social activities,
4) a separate café,
5) administrative and technical background.
The proposed solution urbanistically derives from given ties. The basic axes remain preserved, as well as the height solution. The relationship to the territorial plan remains unchanged. The building is still a cultural house. The only change is a slight modification of the mass of the building.
c) Justification of the chosen urbanistic-architectural solution,
We believe that a cultural house is not merely a grouping of several functions in a kind of building. We want to emphasize that the cultural house is also a place where cultural values are enhanced. Whether they are cultural experiences created by people, or values created by nature. The mutual symbiosis between human beings and nature is the main motif of the architectural proposal.
At the same time, the coexistence of human beings in partnerships is another reality that led us to the conception of the new mass. The pairs of masses can communicate and create values, and that is how it should work in the cultural house too, where people meet, enjoy themselves, thus communicating... among themselves and with nature.
The main entrance in the shape of a "funnel" opens directly to people and nature. It offers the maximum for relaxation, entertainment, and meaningful filling of free time… it wants to become a living place, a place of meeting. The park in which it is located should similarly respond to the impetus of the new building in the future… connecting more mutually… utilizing the symbioses that the urbanistic solution offers… creating a cultural-natural place.
d) Evaluation of the benefits of the proposed solution,
The proposed solution fulfills the prescribed construction program and supplements it primarily with an atrium, which much better illuminates and ventilates the social spaces on the ground floor such as the café, clubrooms, etc. The multifunctional "black box" and library form the basic pillars of the mass and offer a background for the general public. Modern and fresh design is intended to be timeless, without exaggerated extravagance. It allows for pleasant harmonious stays in a cultural, natural-social environment, where visitors can become more aware of themselves and all life's values that consequently cultivate them and enhance their positive life experiences.
TING s.r.o – Dipl.-Ing. Claudia Schmidt, MgA. Štěpán Toman, Daniel Kolský, Ing.arch. Igor Hobza
City and house
The green stripe on the former walls, which borders the old part of the city and separates traffic from the park where the cultural house lies a bit forgotten today. Therefore, we approach the city with a new house connecting to the significantly simplified mass of the current house. Generally, we respect this green strip in our proposal, but we also strive to utilize and complete it.
We create a distinctive, clear, and open building in terms of mass, which sensitively responds to the surroundings into which it opens and thus becomes a natural dominant at the edge of the park.
House
The current unsatisfactory state of the house "box with a series of extensions" is simplified, and the design creates a clear and comprehensible building, which tries as much as possible in the new part to open up to the outside and invite the surroundings inside permanently. The house is friendly and confidently and clearly acts as a natural destination at the scale of the surroundings.
The complemented main hall becomes a clear and compact mass offering the necessary support for the planned operation. Technically, it is conceived in the form of a black box with maximum variability in the arrangement and scenographic possibilities. The original background for the performers is supplemented, and the mass of the building in this part is raised so that the existing mass of the hall does not have extensions, making it more compact.
Foyer
The old and new parts are connected by a multifunctional foyer, which we understand as a meeting place, where a space for contacts and new relationships should be naturally created. This solution also provides lively interaction between individual operations with sufficient support for fulfilling the needs of each of them and reduces the amount of originally unused or difficult-to-use areas of the house.
New house
The new house concentrates the required new operations. It is designed on the principle of a spiral, leading via ramps, stairs, or entirely barrier-free elevator more and more into the world of literature. Readers of various ages and interests have several options for reading, studying, meditating, and often can "snuggle" with a book in one of the coziest corners of the library, where they are not disturbed and where time is relaxed to a calmer rhythm. The library connects with large windows to the park, and thus the life of the library is transferred outside, where passersby see glimpses of the library’s activities and are thus lured inside.
In the basement of the house, a new cinema hall and technical facilities are located.
The maternal center and café - bar are open both to the foyer space and also connected with the outdoor park, thus again supporting the idea of a lively, open, and visible house that offers many options for use.
The house allows for the utilization of the exterior and within its operation, there should be an effort to use the background of the house for expansion into the park space, thus turning its location in the park into a significant advantage.
From the perspective of the new house's material, we consider a monolithic concrete structure supplemented with prominent glass surfaces and wooden elements. We also propose wood for the facade of the original large hall building and for the stairs and ramps of the library.
Park and playground
Along with the changes in the building, we see the necessity to clarify the ties to the surroundings and create a clear bond with the reconstructed quality park.
Direct connections to the park are from the foyer, maternal center, and café.
Adjacent to the maternal center is an outdoor playground.
The park serves as a connection between the city and the station, and this function cannot be ignored. Therefore, we decided not to divide it into partially artificially created parts, which would be bordered by paths "from nowhere to nowhere," only forming a formal structure. On the contrary, we perceive the park as an urban "meadow," which can function as an exhibition space under the open sky, for example for possible symposiums, or outdoor exhibitions of sculptures, etc. We let the pathways of the park be created according to the natural axes of movement and slightly emphasize them with paving. We propose to remove the decaying poorly functioning fountain and some bushes. Instead of these elements, trees should be added in connection with both the new and existing building, along with further modifications of the park areas.
Benefits of the proposed architectural solution
The chosen solution clearly addresses the current state and proposes a new quality that enables very good functioning of all operations. At the same time, our solution creates a visible, yet respectful and contextually embedded, dominant. It gives the city a new potential not only of a cultural nature, but due to the flexibility and openness of our solution, allows for extensions into many other subjects.
H3T Architects - Vít Šimek
a) Principles of the spatial solution in broader contexts
The building is located in a space that connects the historic center of Vodňany with the southern building area “behind the tracks.” We perceive Zeyerovy sady as an important urban relaxation “green zone,” albeit with unclear articulation. The very solution of the southern part of the “border area” is perceived as an integral part of the recultivation of the surroundings of the reconstructed Cultural House. However, we do not specifically address it in the study.
b) A brief clarification of the basic principles of the proposed solution, especially functional content and urbanistic ties, relation to the territorial plan, fulfillment of competition conditions
The concept of reconstruction
The central motif of the reconstruction is the openness of the new object and the mode of its use only at the level of the plinth. It allows for maximum connection between the exterior and interior when necessary. The layout emphasizes the importance of the shared hall, which becomes a common central motif of all assigned programs.
Urbanistic solution
Some confusion in the current location of the KD in the area led to the need to create a comprehensible and clearly articulated object that is to become the icon of the place. The spatial possibilities allow for partial increase of the built-up area. The circular ground plan may be a reminiscence of a similar shape of the historical center and becomes, in the scale of map observation, a clear and easily identifiable point.
Architectural and layout solution
The circular ring surrounding the “black box” is to become a symbol of cultural and social life. The building is designed so that its orientation is not apparent. The lapidary architectural composition is not intended to have great formal ambitions. Conversely, the layout has ambitions to spatially connect all programs located in the object. See layout schema utilization drawing no. 2.
Structural solution
Given the limited budget, we decided to keep the hall object and the basement, which houses relatively new air conditioning technologies, and we also place the heating system of the building there. The reconstructed hall allows for various entries and variability in the positioning of the floor and stage. The ring is designed as a prefabricated wooden construction. The roofing of the foyer is conceived from light pneumatic cushions on a wooden supporting structure. These cushions also contain shading against overheating of the interior.
Greenery, parking
In our proposal, we account for terrain adjustments of the existing elevated terrace, where the terrain should gradually descend without barriers in the shape of a playground in front of the maternal center and a free area for social life. For this reason, we also remove local memorials for which a more suitable, dignified place will certainly be found in Vodňany.
On the other side of the KD, on the southern facade, we plant trees. A relaxation place will be created when opening the black box for a ball or conference.
Parking spaces are maintained in the southeastern corner of Zeyerovy sady.
Proposal No. 1 - +arch / Ing.arch. Boris Čepek, Ing.arch. Jan Pala, Ing.arch. Adéla Palová
Introduction:
The building of the cultural house is located in a green belt with easy accessibility from both railway stations and proximity to the city center. Unfortunately, the object does not respond to the park on the eastern side. The main facade does not face directly towards the city and the relationship with the square is unclear. Extensions and annexes are stuck onto the original building, creating an incoherent impression. The terrace in front of the house is unused, and the layout is inadequate.
Architecture:
The architecture of the house does not push into the foreground; it is modest yet confident. We propose to remove the extensions on the eastern facade, demolish the floor of the southern extension over the maternal center, and build over part of the large terrace towards the north. This creates a calm house with a more natural scale. Horizontals prevail, complemented by the vertical of the stair and the colorful cylinder of the cinema hall. With the verticals of the trees surrounding the building, they create an interesting and constantly changing composition as the observer moves. The stair protruding above the roof, illuminated in the evening, creates the necessary accent. The church has its tower, the cultural house has this vertical. Simple white blocks frame the undulated wooden facade, evoking the impression of a parting curtain. At the same time, it softens and humanizes the effect of the cultural house and adds an artistic element. The wooden facade is semi-transparent and casts pleasant shadows through the glazing into the interior. Appropriate attention is given to the interior, after all, it is a kind of “living” building. In the layout solution, we create a multifunctional hall (black box) with variable seating arrangements on a sloped or flat floor. The use is virtually unlimited. Other functions of the cultural house, such as a café, library, and cinema can be linked differently during various events. The café expands onto the terrace in summer months, and the house opens even more to the public and connects to the park.
Wider relationships:
There is a missing clear relationship to the city center and to the park. We propose to complete ČSLA street as a pedestrian way and extend it through the park up to the terrace in front of the cultural house. We recommend excluding parking from the pedestrian street, leaving only passage from the polyclinic, and in the future, reviewing the possibility of traffic servicing the polyclinic from Zeyerova street. Furthermore, we recommend relocating the gas station on the southern edge of the park and expanding the parking lot.
Park modifications:
We propose to free the view in the axis of the pedestrian street and relocate the Zeyer memorial. This will require gradual implementation in accordance with the overall revitalization of the park. Furthermore, we demolish the fountain near the parking lot, creating a small fountain - drinking place in the central part of the park. Expand planting towards the south, creating a green isolation strip around the playground. With modifications to the parking lot, several trees should also be planted.
Modifications in the building:
The object today does not respond to the park on the eastern side - with the boiler room, abandoned garages, electrical distribution. We propose to move the boiler room and electrical distribution to the basement of the former heat exchange station. Sufficient air supply, ventilation, and the release of excess pressure in case of an accident should be solved through the current installation shaft, which we preserve, possibly supplemented with an air supply channel. The subsequent demolition of all extensions on the eastern side frees up space for a new wing. The terrace on the northern side of the building is oversized and unused. We propose to build over a strip approximately 3m wide to expand the building. Furthermore, we propose to demolish the floor over the maternal center.
Layout:
The principle of the solution is to utilize all usable areas and to minimally increase the existing volume of the building. The current spaces are utilized to the maximum, but everything unnecessary is mercilessly demolished. The center is the foyer with a cloakroom, leading into the main hall, library, café, small hall, offices, and exhibition space, through which access is provided to the clubrooms, rehearsal room, and actors' dressing rooms. A separate entrance for performers is established on the eastern side. The dressing rooms can also be used by music school students and other performers and users of the hall. If necessary, the adjacent clubrooms can also be used as dressing rooms. The music rehearsal room is supplemented with a storage room that can be equipped with recording equipment, allowing for a small recording studio to be established if desired. Rehearsals can also take place in the adjacent clubroom. The entire operation, with the exception of machinery rooms in the basement and the service block (projection room, lighting technician, sound engineer) on the upper floor, is planned on one floor. Thus, the building can function without special modifications for wheelchair users. Small height differences (40cm) are overcome with ramps. The only staircase in the building is for employees. We propose to demolish the existing steep and difficult-to-navigate stairs and to build a new one in the same location. We allow for non-conflicting access to the basement, to the floor at the level of the projection room, further to the interstitial floor above the hall, and to the roof, which we use for the installation of devices utilizing solar energy for water heating, or possibly electricity production.
Black box:
In this specific case, we understand it as a hall that can easily transform from a hall with a tiered floor (essentially a traditional proscenium) to a hall with a flat floor. By providing auxiliary storage, lighting, and sound, it can serve all activities listed in the program and still some others. It depends on the creative abilities of the users. We propose that rows of seats (after folding the backs) slide into a recess between the hall and the cloakroom. We utilize the prefabricated “stage system” originally designed for schools. It is also excellent for our purpose. Stackable tables and chairs can be stored in side pockets at the hall level, platforms in the unused basement space for the orchestra. A table elevator is proposed for handling. We recommend using platforms only in justified cases (like a runway during fashion shows or seating and stage arrangement during any special performance). The hall, where balls, concerts, conferences, and commercial events are held, should have a certain nobility. Unfortunately, that is one of the few things that a classic black box cannot ensure. Therefore, we propose the interior of the hall as a box into which a rounded structure of golden color is inserted, ideally made from elm or one of the exotic woods. The wood helps with acoustics, as well as humanizes the impression. The ceiling should be modified so that from the upper interstitial space (well accessible from the newly adjusted staircase) there is access to the lights and devices installed in or below the ceiling. Traditional stages are left for the needs of proscenium performances. The black box is proposed only in the space of today's hall. Its dimensions will meet the required activities. For balls, we propose making use of the foyer and service from the café.
Café:
The café is designed to have direct contact with the library, foyer, but could also function independently.
Library:
The library is divided into a section for children and a section for adults. In the publicly accessible part, books are stored in standard shelves – for adults 6 shelves, for children 5 shelves high. In the deposit store, we propose compact sliding shelves, which significantly save space. For children, a separate reading room - playroom is created, which has direct access to the children's playground. For adults, the reading room - internet room is designed to allow access from the café as well. The library is designed simply, but to carry out any further activities, the foyer, café, small hall, and exhibition space next to the small hall can be utilized. Thus, it is unnecessary to build separate spaces directly in the library, which can still create a comfortable, functioning whole with them.
Maternal center:
Utilizes the former service apartment and one room on the upper floor. It is already inhabited, with windows facing south and an established children’s playground. We do not consider the tie to the café mentioned in the competition conditions as so significant (it involves mothers with very young children) that it would be necessary to build a new maternal center nearby for this reason. We propose to retain it as it is with minor adjustments. We will move the training room from the upper floor to the ground floor near the new entrance. The old entrance from the service yard should be demolished, or used only for employees. The entire upper floor should be demolished. It is an inorganic and unnecessary extension, especially after relocating the actors' dressing rooms to the stage level.
Offices:
We propose three offices. Two for public relations accessible from the foyer and one quiet one, accessible only to employees, at 2.NP level.
Workshops:
We propose an electrical maintenance workshop in 2.NP at the level of the projectionist's, lighting technician's, and sound engineer's cabins. If there is a need for a carpenter's or locksmith's workshop, a workshop and storage can be built as a separate building from the service yard.
Economics:
A total of about 1600 m³ is demolished, new extensions create about 2500 m³. The resulting volume, which affects operating costs, is approximately 900 m³ larger compared to the current state, which we consider a minimum. Comprehensive insulation and the use of solar devices are proposed. Existing air conditioning is essentially retained, but ventilation for the small hall needs to be supplemented.
Proposal No. 14 - Atelier AGM / Jiří Pošmourný, Vojtěch Pošmourný, Caterina Cappelli
a, Principles of spatial solutions in broader contexts
The object of the Cultural House in Vodňany is located at a significant junction of the historic core of the city with the main bus stop, train station, and pedestrian crossing over the railway track towards Nové Město. All these main directions go around the eastern side of the object, which currently houses auxiliary functions and has no relation to these communications. The main northern facade is behind a barrier of terrain elevation and is in a deflected position to the communication directions.
From these starting points, the main idea of the project emerges - to "rotate the object" toward the main communication hub and thus open the building towards the eastern facade and the park. The most exposed point thus becomes the northeast corner, accentuated by material highlighting. The lateral axis of the historic square passing directly through the large hall of the object, which is the symbolic heart of the entire cultural complex, also has considerable significance.
b, Brief clarification of the basic principles of the proposed solution, especially functional content and urbanistic ties, relation to the territorial plan, fulfillment of competition conditions
The principle of the urbanistic solution is to create a relationship between the park, the main communication directions, and the object of the cultural house. The internal arrangement of the layout aims to create the greatest possible variability in the connection of spaces while maintaining their independence. The solution primarily derives from the conditions of the construction program and fulfills it to the maximum extent. The volumetric concept provides the possibility of raising the northeast corner in the future with the potential use of terraces above the foyer and above the library. In the southern part, there is an opportunity to unify the height of 2NP with the level of the library.
The main entrance to the object is formed by an entrance foyer, which is followed by a cloakroom and hygiene facilities. From the foyer, there is direct access to the main hall. Furthermore, both the cinema and the café are accessible through the entrance foyer.
The multifunctional hall is expanded to the maximum extent possible and is equipped on its sides with walkways for spectators accessible from two staircases. To allow for the utilization of an effective telescopic tribune, which does not require additional storage space for platforms, the staircase to the basement and the technical walkway have been adjusted so that they do not interfere with the space of the hall and existing technical conduits and structures. In the event of a telescopic tribune deployment, the hall offers 345+100 (445) seats including balconies. Suspended acoustic panels are designed under the balconies to allow the modification of proportions from a black box to a free hall. The panels also allow the creation of alternative spaces and optimization of acoustic comfort by their rotation. To achieve maximum variability of the hall, a lift in the existing orchestra pit is proposed, which allows for leveling the difference between the floor and the stage. When the telescopic tribune is retracted, the acoustic panels fully opened, and the lift sunken, the hall offers 430m2 of dance floor space. For acoustic reasons, the walls of the hall are equipped with absorbing elements according to calculations, and a concert shell is proposed behind the lift. To achieve maximum volume of the hall, the ceiling of the existing truss structure is removed. The created space is supplemented with suspended absorbing elements and technical walkways. Existing accesses from the exterior are used for the hall, including the possibility of vehicle access.
The cinema rooms are located in a remote part of the existing foyer and connect through a common cloakroom and hygiene facilities to the pre-space of the multifunctional hall. The originally glazed facade of the foyer is closed at the cloakroom and cinema points. Between the large hall and the foyer of the cinema, there is a bar allowing service to both spaces simultaneously, or separately. The foyer freely connects to the café situated at the corner of the object with further connections to the reading room of the library up to the maternal center. The location of the café provides contact with the frequented part of the park, and its forecourt allows for the placement of outdoor seating. The performers' cloakrooms with clubrooms are located in the space of the existing maternal center behind the stage.
On the upper floor of the object, in the enlarged eastern part, lies the space of the library, accessible again from the eastern side. The separate children's part of the library is finished with a playroom located above the maternal center. To achieve the required capacity of the library's deposit, its expansion into the upper unused part of the proscenium is proposed so that it does not reduce the utility of the rigging. An escape staircase is proposed on the northern side of the library, forming a significant architectural element. Through the southern staircase, administrative parts are accessible, from which one can access the entire object either through the library or via a bridge leading into the multifunctional hall.
The basement of the object is utilized as a music rehearsal room and existing air conditioning with a workshop. Under the café space, the boiler room is situated. For its relocation, the use of light roofing of the basement at the location of the existing tank is considered. Due to the terrain break, it is possible to place the explosion wall and exhaust of the boiler room directly to the exterior. Exhausts of the air conditioning are diverted by 90° so as to allow spatial connections between the café and foyer.
The project’s effort is to minimize demolition work and to use the existing structures. At the café, reading room, and entrance to the library, the existing boiler structure is preserved, and the breakthroughs connect to the expanded part. To unify the height levels in the eastern part, the southern part of the object has retreated, merging with the new part at the library's storage location. Thanks to this solution, the existing staircase of the southern part of the building could be preserved. The built-up space is overall increased by approximately 1550m³. The cladding of the building with ventilated thermal insulation and compactness of the mass solution brings a reduction in energy for heating and ventilating the object.
c, Justification of the chosen urbanistic-architectural solution
By expanding the mass of the object on the eastern side and emphasizing the northeast corner, the object gains a connection with the frequented part of the park and opens itself more to the public. Previously backgrounded commercial spaces have a greater potential for their utilization. This urbanistic solution also allows the park to become a meeting place for people and not just characterless “transitional greenery.”
d, Evaluation of the benefits of the proposed solution
- contemporary architectural conception
- free continuity and connectability of spaces
- large capacity and variability of the hall
- opening towards the park and frequented pedestrian communication
- minimization of necessary construction modifications
- energy savings
e, Fulfillment of assignment requirements
The construction program was strictly adhered to, however, some spatial ties were not possible for logical reasons (relationship of the playroom-maternal center-library). The capacity of the hall was intentionally increased compared to the assignment. The multifunctional hall in its theatrical and dance-entertainment form offers high quality and comfort, thus reducing its capacity would be unnecessary and unwise. The volumetric increase reaches approximately half of the maximum required value. The urbanistic context was respected and the design of the project subordinated to it.
Proposal No. 5 - Archcon atelier / Ing. Irena Truhlářová, Ing. Kateřina Výborná, Ing.arch. Jana Zíbarová
Principles of spatial solutions in contexts
The addressed area lies in the central part of the city of Vodňany. Nearby are the bus and train stations, schools, a senior home, a hospital, and other significant places. The most pronounced access to the main entrance of the cultural center is anticipated from the eastern side from the bus station and senior home. We create a generous entrance space; the height difference between the surrounding terrain and the entrance level (up to 1.65 m) is articulated by massive steps, which we propose as seating areas - incorporated into this area are mature trees and suitable festive lighting. Another significant direction is perceived as access from the square – in this direction, we ascend to the entrance level smoothly via a barrier-free ramp. In the southern part of the object, in conjunction with the café and maternal center, we create an extensive terrace with ideal southwest orientation. From the terrace, parents can supervise their children playing on the playground. The space is enlivened by a fountain with a sundial - a typical element of Vodňany's mills and a reminder of the local fishery tradition. The organic system of paths for pedestrians smoothly connects to the main arteries already used by the residents. Access to the cultural house is ensured from the northwest direction, where we have placed parking spaces for employees. For other visitors, the existing parking lot will be used.
Brief clarification of the basic principles of the proposed solution, especially functional content and urbanistic ties, relation to the territorial plan, fulfillment of competition conditions
Basic principles of the proposed solution
The aim of the proposal is to create a multifunctional house with a new representative central space and an open layout allowing uninterrupted functioning of the object as a whole. With regard to the requirement for low operating costs, we propose a compactly shaped house, which maximally approaches the passive standard. Preliminary calculation of the specific heat consumption for heating - 22 kWh/m2.a (according to TNI methodology) indicates a significant reduction in energy consumption for heating compared to conventional construction by up to 75%. With our resources, we modify existing structures to passive standard (insulation) and design new structures primarily as wooden builds in the passive standard. We also consider night pre-cooling, with which we can achieve savings of up to 50% of costs for mechanical cooling during summer. The protection of the object against solar gains in summer is not neglected – we propose passive shading through the projection of structures and active shading with outdoor blinds. The energy concept is supplemented by placing photovoltaic panels on the roof and the southern facade of the object for supplying the proposed object, as well as external consumers with its electricity.
Mass solution, material and color solution:
We supplement the existing incoherent mass to a simple and compact two-story block arranged around the existing hall - a black box (hereinafter “BB”). Part of the existing northern mass is demolished. The mass of the entrance is highlighted by an anthracite cladding made of large-format cement-bonded fiber boards, with evident detailing of anchoring. The entrance is highlighted by white backlit areas (glass or plexiglass). The logo on the side of the house is resolved in the same material as the highlighting of the entrance. During the day, the entrance is identifiable from a distance, in the evening significantly illuminated. On the other parts of the house, we propose a horizontal wooden cladding of thermowood or Siberian larch - this material requires no maintenance. The facade will gain a silvery hue over time. The parts with wooden cladding are shaded by a projecting construction supported by subtle columns. To this construction, exterior textile roller shades are anchored, allowing shading of the object according to the current needs of its users. In the northern part, instead of shades, panels for the placement of promotional materials for current performances are proposed. Shades create a color accent on the facade; we chose an elegant crimson color that emphasizes the importance of the object. The base of the house is treated with stone cladding. The main motif of the interior is the black box, which we conceive in an anthracite color with a hint of purple. The BB contrasts with white large-format tiles and large white inscriptions. The exposed wooden structures and cladding bring intimacy, comfort, and a certain informality to the interior.
Structural solution
Existing structures are adjusted to passive standards. New parts of the building are designed as wooden constructions from massive cross-laminated panels due to the speed of construction and low weight of the structure - minimal loading on existing foundations. Other reasons include quality of the internal environment and the possibility of using exposed structures. We anticipate modifications to existing structures and demolition of part of the northern tract. We copy the existing height arrangement of the house and terrain – part of the object (northern, western, eastern tract) has a floor at the level of +0.000, the southern part is at +0.400. The second floor is at one height of +4.300.
Technical installations of the building - energy concept
For heating, we consider a gas boiler room relocated to the basement. A reduction in the boiler room is anticipated. The air conditioning system will be expanded to ensure controlled ventilation with heat recovery throughout the object. The heating of TUV is solved locally with electric boilers in places of consumption - thus saving costs on TUV circulation. For the summer months, we propose the night pre-cooling of the object (using chimney effect and ventilation blinds). On the facade and roof, photovoltaic panels are placed. The use of energy-saving lighting sources - LED lights, night lighting LED, is considered in the object. Effective shading against excess solar gains is proposed – this reduces the need to cool the object. In winter months, greater gains through the glazed wall and roof of the foyer, which is not shaded by deciduous trees, are anticipated – thus lowering the demands on heating.
Functional content
The foundation of the proposal is the new central space - foyer - sufficiently representative for the proposed type of building. The function of the foyer is to mutually connect all operations in the object. Immediately at the entrance is placed the reception desk. From the foyer, access is provided to the café and its background, maternal center (hereinafter “MC”), spacious cloakroom, hygiene facilities, and two clubrooms. Between the café and MC, a children's corner is placed. The café will serve as a bar during evening events. The café and MC have a shared terrace, which is followed by the children's playground. The foyer on the ground floor forms an antechamber to the Black Box (hereinafter “BB”) and space for an internet corner, which can be moved in case of holding larger events. The BB with a capacity of 315 - 432 seats is accessible for spectators from two sides (east, north), access for performers is from the west. To create the audience area, we anticipate a system of platforms, for which an adjacent storage area is designated. To better connect the BB and the rest of the house, we propose to open part of the wall towards the gallery in the second floor with glazed openings. During performances, the openings will be closed with darkening shades. The zone for performers with changing rooms and hygiene background is located in the western part of the layout; BB is also accessible for vehicle loading from this side. If needed, performers can enter the object separately. For larger groups, adjacent clubrooms can be used as changing rooms. The 1st basement and 2nd floor are publicly accessible from the foyer via an open staircase with an elevator. The band rehearsal room is placed in the basement – no one will disturb it here, creating the needed “underground” creative environment. In the basement, there is the boiler room, workshop, HVAC machine room, and storage areas. The library is placed in the 2nd floor. Thanks to the existing position of the BB, we solved the operation so that each department has its own entrance – the adult library from the foyer gallery, the children's library from the space behind the cinema hall. Libraries are interconnected in the service part via deposits. In front of both libraries, lockers are prepared for visitors. In front of the adult library, a space for temporary exhibitions is proposed, which can utilize the entire foyer gallery. Besides exhibitions, this space will serve as a reading room. The entrance to the children's library is illuminated using a skylight with side ventilation surfaces; part of the floor is open, and light illuminates spaces in the 1st basement. This solution also assists with nighttime ventilation. From the foyer gallery, the cinema for 56 persons is further accessible, which we design to also be usable for chamber music performances or author readings within the event “Zeyerovo Vodňany.” The cinema opens toward the park with a band window. We have placed employee offices next to the children's library, accessible separately from the stairway. Employees can enter through the service entrance. The technical bridge connects to the western part of the BB, thus ensuring visual contact with the hall. With regard to fire safety solutions, we propose two escape routes of type A in the object.
Urbanistic ties
Operations in the cultural house connect to the operations of the city. Waiting for a bus can be shortened in the library, seniors find distraction in the cinema, mothers have peace in the maternal center. For younger schoolchildren, there is a playroom in the library and clubrooms, for older youth there is a band rehearsal room. The own object connects with the park with many recreational areas; the park is designed as a contrast to the building in a natural style with organic shapes of paths and areas.
Authors: Ján Studený, Maroš Bátora, Marián Pocuch
Wider Relationships
The cultural house is a solitary figure in the park. It is an analogous composition connecting public space /park/ with a house of social-civic function /cultural house/, just as the town hall or church in the historical square of the village. The proposal aims to support this analogy - a monumental house surrounded by clearly articulated public space - the park, and the orientation of the main facade with the entrance to the building towards the city and the square.
Park
The proposal preserves the trees and the concept of an English park. It would benefit from delimitation and finishing the southern part towards the railway. In this part, we propose a surface parking for the cultural house and a playground in connection with the maternal center. In the existing park, pathways and other pedestrian communications will be redesigned into a new geometry, further supporting the idea of an equal circuit of the house on three sides – towards the city with a developing structure connecting to municipal sidewalks, towards the train station across the proposed parking lot, and southward towards the crossing over the track to the residential development – around the children's playground.
The cultural house
We understand the existing building as a remnant of a recent era, but it contains valuable elements that we want to transform into the new object. After radical reconstruction of the hall, the background, and foyer still exhibit details /wooden cladding, concrete structures, pavements/, the atmosphere of which we propose to preserve, or we will try to find a way to present them in the new building. The facades of the new object reflect the original growth of buildings around the hall.
Concept
An economical house - a pragmatic decision to occupy as little space as possible, or not to build on any further part of the land. Maximize protection of the park and utilize existing structures for superstructures /or reconstruction/. Surround the hall with functional layout according to the program, with a temporal sequence of use. Adapt the building construction to the price and user parameters for efficiency and operational costs. Create a timeless architecture connected with regional elements – the hall, with surrounding facilities oriented to the street.
Hall - will be transformed into a functional black box: 1. The floor of the hall will be leveled to the level of the current auditorium. 2. The orchestra pit below the stage continues to function as storage. 3. Above the stage, an inserted ceiling for storage platforms operated by a hydraulic platform located at the service yard. Below the ceiling, a rigging system for the stage will be installed. 4. The access areas (cloakroom and bridge above it with a separate staircase, entry to the auditorium from the foyer) will be preserved, in the corner, there is an elevator for service to the library on the 1st floor. In the basement: HVAC with conduits and background of performers in the rear section remains preserved.
Layout solution
The focal point of the building remains the hall transformed into a black box. Around the hall in the shape of the letter U is the program in a two-story layout: foyer, background of the hall, café and clubs on the ground floor, library, study room at the 1st floor.
The ground floor with modifications - the entry into the foyer returned in front of the hall, vertical connection through the auditorium to the library /open vs. closed mode/ - a traversable ramp, auditorium for social events on the ground floor, or usable for events in the library. In the frontal part is the required program laid out: a cinema with a capacity of 50 seats, a clubroom, foyer of the hall with the auditorium, a café - towards the park, in the rear section from the courtyard; background: office, toilets, and storage. The corner café culminates social life inside the building - reflecting its corner location /outward seating on the terrace/. In the eastern tract, we preserve the existing boiler room, which we alternatively propose to relocate to the corner in the southern tract to the service yard, thereby connecting it with the café. We realize the costliness of this operation, so we recommend omitting this connection – the tie remains through the children's library on the first floor. In the rear - southern tract, there are backgrounds for performers: dressing rooms, a rehearsal room, and a storage room in the basement.
Library - we decided to return to the classic arrangement of shelves around the walls. Open shelves offer space for the projected volume of books (45 thousand pcs), in the part above the maternal center with the children's library. The storage is additionally placed in compact shelves on the ground floor. We preserve the interior space, which is used for study rooms, reading rooms, and community activities (clubs behind a dividing partition).
In the ground floor, the required program is arranged in the frontal part: a cinema room with a capacity of 50 seats, a clubroom, foyer of the hall with the auditorium, café to the park, in the rear section; background: office, toilets, and storage. In the eastern tract, we preserve the existing boiler room, which we alternatively propose to relocate to the corner in the southern tract to the service yard, creating a connection with the café. However, we realize the difficulty of this operation, so we recommend omitting this connection – the tie remains through the children's library on the first floor. In the rear - southern tract, there are backgrounds for performers: dressing rooms, a rehearsal room, and a storage room in the basement.
Construction
The extension maximally utilizes the existing structures – the superstructure of a single-tract structure around the black box is supported on one side by its structure /on the hall's columns/, or on the other side uses the originally masonry construction. A lightweight wooden panel system /Novatop/, or masonry construction inserted into the steel skeleton combined with monolithic concrete ceilings will be used.
Fasades
The continuous shelf around the interior of the library is reflected in the uniform facade of the house. It consists of two layers: a) rhythmic division into solid and glazed parts along the entire height of 8 meters rhythms long facades, allowing optimal contact between interior and exterior and lighting, b) inserted segments are an exact reflection of the openings of original facades. The roof is similarly rhythmized with strip skylights.
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House - city, a concentrated, intensive house, literally crammed, bursting at the seams - yet the circular shape will not yield. We unite the required functions into a packed active unit. We seek the degree of necessity for intervention in the existing structure. The goal is a house alive throughout the day, strong in form, memorable, open, and gentle to the park, which it opens up to with its ring - benches around the perimeter, and the paths within it, which it lightly touches.
We maintain the large hall space, to which we attach contemporary theater technology. The portal (proscenium) with the stage is preserved despite the built-in "black box," as a good and useful element tinged with nostalgia. The floor is leveled and constructed from variable platforms. Like the large hall, the small hall and library connect to the main foyer, which also serves as a café. The children's center, clubrooms, rehearsal room, as well as changing rooms and offices on the upper floor connect to a smaller, operationally separate foyer. We concentrate the background for the largest possible number of visitors. We utilize the existing technical basement for HVAC. We design the house to be barrier-free.
Proposal No. 28 - Ing.arch. Marek Blank, Ing.arch. Petr Dolejší
Existing and new
The benefit of the existing Municipal Cultural Center building in Vodňany (cultural house) is its current fulfillment with required functions. However, the building does not express this operation towards its surroundings. The object completely lacks a plinth, and its facades are unused, blind, or aesthetically unremarkable. The forecourt of the house forms a barrier towards the city, where, next to the adjacent school, a playground competes with a parking lot and a storage space. Despite the incoherent mass of the building, we see an advantage in the elevated volume of the main hall. In our basic approach to utilizing existing structures, we look for a connection between their purpose and the final expression corresponding to the mission of the object.
The truss roof structure is preserved, as is the structure of the main hall beneath it. The basement volume, where technological and service rooms are located, as well as the volume of the northern single-storey part, are also retained. The southern and western extensions are removed. The object is then connected with a new single-storey extension wrapping around the entire hall. The necessary mass is newly balanced toward the city.
House and city
The renovation of the cultural house considers natural continuity in urban connections. Along the northern part of the object, the pedestrian pathway extending along the existing front of buildings on the southern circuit of the city is drawn out. This path creates an expanded paved forecourt in contact with the object, which, with its depth, corresponds to the height of the building and creates an intimate space between the house and the park. Due to the lowered extension, a natural urban plinth is created. Paths forming a connection with Freedom Square and the bus and train station are preserved. These routes are proportioned according to the historical form of the bridges over the watercourse at the boundary of the city. The connection between the southern part of the city behind the railway line and the bus station is preserved. In the southern part, the route around the alley is modified, naturally supplemented with urban furniture. This way, we are modifying a trodden and even paved path leading diagonally to the south of the object to create an open space that can connect with the main hall.
House and park
The cultural house is situated in a park (Zeyerovy sady), which attracts residents and visitors of the city for short-term relaxation. The northern part of the object is dedicated to everyday functions - a café and library. The library is suitably placed at the entrance to the area next to the adjacent school, where a maternal center and the administrative background of the object are also located. These functions, along with the school, elevate the function of the intermediate space to a vibrant part of the city. The southern facade of the object can open into the garden. The western side is completed with an opening corresponding to the dimension of the hall’s operation, creating an additional entrance to the foyer. Individual functions are thus localized around the central hall. In the grassy area surrounding the southern part of the cultural center, various outdoor events can be organized, and children can play here.
Operation
The dimensions of the main hall under the truss structure allow for the placement of a stage for the required number of spectators as well as the organization of balls. Particularly for ball events, it is possible to open the hall to the main and side foyers. The hall is supplemented with a balcony providing projection and directing space. Adjacent to the hall is storage space. The southern part allows for the opening to an outdoor stage on the facade, which will be used for outdoor events. In the foyer, there is a cloakroom for visitors, a bar, rest furniture, built-in seating, and a separate staircase to the basement toilets for visitors. The café space is directly adjacent to the foyer and can be operationally separated. The reading room and café are oriented towards the park. The main space of the library is logically oriented towards the adjacent school, allowing for additional entrances or exits. The maternal center and office are also oriented into this space complemented by a children's playground. In the basement of the object, there are toilets, a rehearsal room, workshops, a boiler room, and an air conditioning machine room. In the adjacent building of the former scale, there is a separate club space.
Materials and structures
The main expressive element is the separation of the volume of the hall from the neighboring operations. The dark surface of the hall is manifested in its interior, on the facade, and in the foyer. The facades are treated in a neutral light tone. In the main space of the hall and the antechamber, a classic wooden floor is proposed. The hall's cladding consists of cladding panels in a geometric grid. The glazing of the facades is proposed in aluminum profiles with a height and width dimension appropriate for traditional processing and yield. In the courtyard area, glazing has a standard residential dimension.
Park and garden modifications
The reconstructed object is surrounded by woody and herbaceous vegetation of significantly fluctuating aesthetic value. In the proposal, shrubs and beds are removed from the vegetation, leaving only continuous grassy areas and trees. Based on the available passport of public greenery for the administrative area of the town of Vodňany, we recommend the felling of all trees that are assessed as non-conflicting by the environmental department of the Vodňany City Hall. Particularly, the removal of the lime tree situated in close proximity to the entrance area of the proposed building is desirable, as it is very likely that the tilted and poorly vital individual will soon jeopardize the reconstructed object and its visitors. The removed trees should be replaced with proven taxa (such as linden, ash, oak, and horse chestnut). The alley behind the object should be newly planted, gradually withdrawing aging and not very attractive trees.
Paved areas are designed in slightly modified routing of existing ones, emphasizing the scale of areas adjacent to the object. The final layer of the surfaces is executed in natural paving.
Existing memorials remain, with access to them sensitively adjusted with a crushed stone surface. The proposal also addresses the replacement of outdated furniture (benches, public lighting).
Technology
Ventilation of the main hall is forced and slightly underpressure. Air supply is addressed through ducting from the unexposed side of the object, on which a sound damper is mounted leading to the air conditioning machine room. The facility is considered non-smoking and counts on 50 m3 of air per person per hour. The exhaust air is vented over the roof of the object.
Waste heat from exhaust air is utilized by a recuperative unit with a capacity of 10,000 m3 of air per hour. At low outdoor temperatures, when waste heat is not sufficient to warm incoming air, its reheating will be provided by two gas boilers with a total performance of 75-80 kW. Similarly, the anteroom is ventilated and heated.
The main hall is heated via air conditioning, smaller spaces by partial hot water systems, which allow for separate regimes for each operational unit. In the anteroom, a combined system is anticipated.
The proposal is elaborated with an emphasis on achieving low operational costs of the object, particularly in the energy area. Here, considerable attention is paid to thermal insulation of the shell at recommended levels, not just standard values, a quality measurement and control system that ensures flawless cooperation between heating and ventilation, decentralization of hot water heating according to operational sections of the building, the implementation of a recuperative unit that ensures the use of heat from exhaust air, and energy-saving light sources.
The proposed total volume is 14,035 m³.
Proposal No. 4 - Ing.arch. David Novák, Ing.arch. Matej Ruščák, Ing. Dušan Štětina, PhD.
a) Principles of spatial solutions in broader contexts,
The spatial context is given by the construction plot and the position of the building, including broader ties to the surrounding cultural house.
The design shapes the mass of the building according to this concept: The building will no longer be an isolated "lost" mass that is not visible, but will have a partner in this isolated position, as it is said: "two are better than one."
Thus, the lonely mass will come to life, as it gains a new and very educated partner, represented by the library extension. And to fit together, both masses receive a similar fashionable coat in the form of a modern facade with a motif of the structure of branching trees. More precisely, the proposed solution in the space and broader contexts supports the location in the park, which should maximize the use of greenery and bring the two places closer together. Nature is thus reflected in the new proposal, bringing a new clear face to the cultural house.
The established ties of local residents, such as paths, walkways, sidewalks, and streets will remain intact. Residents of Vodňany do not need to learn to walk "differently"... only the changed environment will engage and attract people. They should no longer walk past an impersonal building but around an elegant pair of buildings with a strong common foundation that binds them. The bond represents a plinth full of surprises and attractions, such as a new café, common spaces, and once again nature in the newly created atrium that allows nature - the park to move closer into the interior of the cultural house.
b) Brief clarification of the basic principles of the proposed solution, especially functional content and urbanistic ties, relation to the territorial plan and fulfillment of competition conditions,
The main principle is working with the mass. It is a complete reworking - addition and unification (see scheme - graphic part). Basically, it is the unification of the height of the plinth around the mass of the hall, which is extended in one part and simultaneously complemented by another mass, a kind of "partner" to the main mass of the hall.
The created pairs of the main masses are also the main content of the cultural house - a "black box" as the largest mass of the building and a library in the form of a "partner." The remaining functional program is ensured on the contiguous ground floor. By modifying the mass of the hall and the plinth, a pleasant atrium is created, which ensures a stronger perception of the relationship between man and nature. This relationship is further enhanced by the abstraction of nature in the shell of the main masses of the cultural house.
The functional content is composed of:
1) black box - usable as the largest variable theater hall, cinema, or dance hall for balls, along with a foyer with a cloakroom and bar,
2) library (funds and internet),
3) clubrooms (or rehearsal rooms) for social activities,
4) a separate café,
5) administrative and technical background.
The proposed solution urbanistically derives from given ties. The basic axes remain preserved, as well as the height solution. The relationship to the territorial plan remains unchanged. The building is still a cultural house. The only change is a slight modification of the mass of the building.
c) Justification of the chosen urbanistic-architectural solution,
We believe that a cultural house is not merely a grouping of several functions in a kind of building. We want to emphasize that the cultural house is also a place where cultural values are enhanced. Whether they are cultural experiences created by people, or values created by nature. The mutual symbiosis between human beings and nature is the main motif of the architectural proposal.
At the same time, the coexistence of human beings in partnerships is another reality that led us to the conception of the new mass. The pairs of masses can communicate and create values, and that is how it should work in the cultural house too, where people meet, enjoy themselves, thus communicating... among themselves and with nature.
The main entrance in the shape of a "funnel" opens directly to people and nature. It offers the maximum for relaxation, entertainment, and meaningful filling of free time… it wants to become a living place, a place of meeting. The park in which it is located should similarly respond to the impetus of the new building in the future… connecting more mutually… utilizing the symbioses that the urbanistic solution offers… creating a cultural-natural place.
d) Evaluation of the benefits of the proposed solution,
The proposed solution fulfills the prescribed construction program and supplements it primarily with an atrium, which much better illuminates and ventilates the social spaces on the ground floor such as the café, clubrooms, etc. The multifunctional "black box" and library form the basic pillars of the mass and offer a background for the general public. Modern and fresh design is intended to be timeless, without exaggerated extravagance. It allows for pleasant harmonious stays in a cultural, natural-social environment, where visitors can become more aware of themselves and all life's values that consequently cultivate them and enhance their positive life experiences.
TING s.r.o – Dipl.-Ing. Claudia Schmidt, MgA. Štěpán Toman, Daniel Kolský, Ing.arch. Igor Hobza
City and house
The green stripe on the former walls, which borders the old part of the city and separates traffic from the park where the cultural house lies a bit forgotten today. Therefore, we approach the city with a new house connecting to the significantly simplified mass of the current house. Generally, we respect this green strip in our proposal, but we also strive to utilize and complete it.
We create a distinctive, clear, and open building in terms of mass, which sensitively responds to the surroundings into which it opens and thus becomes a natural dominant at the edge of the park.
House
The current unsatisfactory state of the house "box with a series of extensions" is simplified, and the design creates a clear and comprehensible building, which tries as much as possible in the new part to open up to the outside and invite the surroundings inside permanently. The house is friendly and confidently and clearly acts as a natural destination at the scale of the surroundings.
The complemented main hall becomes a clear and compact mass offering the necessary support for the planned operation. Technically, it is conceived in the form of a black box with maximum variability in the arrangement and scenographic possibilities. The original background for the performers is supplemented, and the mass of the building in this part is raised so that the existing mass of the hall does not have extensions, making it more compact.
Foyer
The old and new parts are connected by a multifunctional foyer, which we understand as a meeting place, where a space for contacts and new relationships should be naturally created. This solution also provides lively interaction between individual operations with sufficient support for fulfilling the needs of each of them and reduces the amount of originally unused or difficult-to-use areas of the house.
New house
The new house concentrates the required new operations. It is designed on the principle of a spiral, leading via ramps, stairs, or entirely barrier-free elevator more and more into the world of literature. Readers of various ages and interests have several options for reading, studying, meditating, and often can "snuggle" with a book in one of the coziest corners of the library, where they are not disturbed and where time is relaxed to a calmer rhythm. The library connects with large windows to the park, and thus the life of the library is transferred outside, where passersby see glimpses of the library’s activities and are thus lured inside.
In the basement of the house, a new cinema hall and technical facilities are located.
The maternal center and café - bar are open both to the foyer space and also connected with the outdoor park, thus again supporting the idea of a lively, open, and visible house that offers many options for use.
The house allows for the utilization of the exterior and within its operation, there should be an effort to use the background of the house for expansion into the park space, thus turning its location in the park into a significant advantage.
From the perspective of the new house's material, we consider a monolithic concrete structure supplemented with prominent glass surfaces and wooden elements. We also propose wood for the facade of the original large hall building and for the stairs and ramps of the library.
Park and playground
Along with the changes in the building, we see the necessity to clarify the ties to the surroundings and create a clear bond with the reconstructed quality park.
Direct connections to the park are from the foyer, maternal center, and café.
Adjacent to the maternal center is an outdoor playground.
The park serves as a connection between the city and the station, and this function cannot be ignored. Therefore, we decided not to divide it into partially artificially created parts, which would be bordered by paths "from nowhere to nowhere," only forming a formal structure. On the contrary, we perceive the park as an urban "meadow," which can function as an exhibition space under the open sky, for example for possible symposiums, or outdoor exhibitions of sculptures, etc. We let the pathways of the park be created according to the natural axes of movement and slightly emphasize them with paving. We propose to remove the decaying poorly functioning fountain and some bushes. Instead of these elements, trees should be added in connection with both the new and existing building, along with further modifications of the park areas.
Benefits of the proposed architectural solution
The chosen solution clearly addresses the current state and proposes a new quality that enables very good functioning of all operations. At the same time, our solution creates a visible, yet respectful and contextually embedded, dominant. It gives the city a new potential not only of a cultural nature, but due to the flexibility and openness of our solution, allows for extensions into many other subjects.
H3T Architects - Vít Šimek
a) Principles of the spatial solution in broader contexts
The building is located in a space that connects the historic center of Vodňany with the southern building area “behind the tracks.” We perceive Zeyerovy sady as an important urban relaxation “green zone,” albeit with unclear articulation. The very solution of the southern part of the “border area” is perceived as an integral part of the recultivation of the surroundings of the reconstructed Cultural House. However, we do not specifically address it in the study.
b) A brief clarification of the basic principles of the proposed solution, especially functional content and urbanistic ties, relation to the territorial plan, fulfillment of competition conditions
The concept of reconstruction
The central motif of the reconstruction is the openness of the new object and the mode of its use only at the level of the plinth. It allows for maximum connection between the exterior and interior when necessary. The layout emphasizes the importance of the shared hall, which becomes a common central motif of all assigned programs.
Urbanistic solution
Some confusion in the current location of the KD in the area led to the need to create a comprehensible and clearly articulated object that is to become the icon of the place. The spatial possibilities allow for partial increase of the built-up area. The circular ground plan may be a reminiscence of a similar shape of the historical center and becomes, in the scale of map observation, a clear and easily identifiable point.
Architectural and layout solution
The circular ring surrounding the “black box” is to become a symbol of cultural and social life. The building is designed so that its orientation is not apparent. The lapidary architectural composition is not intended to have great formal ambitions. Conversely, the layout has ambitions to spatially connect all programs located in the object. See layout schema utilization drawing no. 2.
Structural solution
Given the limited budget, we decided to keep the hall object and the basement, which houses relatively new air conditioning technologies, and we also place the heating system of the building there. The reconstructed hall allows for various entries and variability in the positioning of the floor and stage. The ring is designed as a prefabricated wooden construction. The roofing of the foyer is conceived from light pneumatic cushions on a wooden supporting structure. These cushions also contain shading against overheating of the interior.
Greenery, parking
In our proposal, we account for terrain adjustments of the existing elevated terrace, where the terrain should gradually descend without barriers in the shape of a playground in front of the maternal center and a free area for social life. For this reason, we also remove local memorials for which a more suitable, dignified place will certainly be found in Vodňany.
On the other side of the KD, on the southern facade, we plant trees. A relaxation place will be created when opening the black box for a ball or conference.
Parking spaces are maintained in the southeastern corner of Zeyerovy sady.
Proposal No. 1 - +arch / Ing.arch. Boris Čepek, Ing.arch. Jan Pala, Ing.arch. Adéla Palová
Introduction:
The building of the cultural house is located in a green belt with easy accessibility from both railway stations and proximity to the city center. Unfortunately, the object does not respond to the park on the eastern side. The main facade does not face directly towards the city and the relationship with the square is unclear. Extensions and annexes are stuck onto the original building, creating an incoherent impression. The terrace in front of the house is unused, and the layout is inadequate.
Architecture:
The architecture of the house does not push into the foreground; it is modest yet confident. We propose to remove the extensions on the eastern facade, demolish the floor of the southern extension over the maternal center, and build over part of the large terrace towards the north. This creates a calm house with a more natural scale. Horizontals prevail, complemented by the vertical of the stair and the colorful cylinder of the cinema hall. With the verticals of the trees surrounding the building, they create an interesting and constantly changing composition as the observer moves. The stair protruding above the roof, illuminated in the evening, creates the necessary accent. The church has its tower, the cultural house has this vertical. Simple white blocks frame the undulated wooden facade, evoking the impression of a parting curtain. At the same time, it softens and humanizes the effect of the cultural house and adds an artistic element. The wooden facade is semi-transparent and casts pleasant shadows through the glazing into the interior. Appropriate attention is given to the interior, after all, it is a kind of “living” building. In the layout solution, we create a multifunctional hall (black box) with variable seating arrangements on a sloped or flat floor. The use is virtually unlimited. Other functions of the cultural house, such as a café, library, and cinema can be linked differently during various events. The café expands onto the terrace in summer months, and the house opens even more to the public and connects to the park.
Wider relationships:
There is a missing clear relationship to the city center and to the park. We propose to complete ČSLA street as a pedestrian way and extend it through the park up to the terrace in front of the cultural house. We recommend excluding parking from the pedestrian street, leaving only passage from the polyclinic, and in the future, reviewing the possibility of traffic servicing the polyclinic from Zeyerova street. Furthermore, we recommend relocating the gas station on the southern edge of the park and expanding the parking lot.
Park modifications:
We propose to free the view in the axis of the pedestrian street and relocate the Zeyer memorial. This will require gradual implementation in accordance with the overall revitalization of the park. Furthermore, we demolish the fountain near the parking lot, creating a small fountain - drinking place in the central part of the park. Expand planting towards the south, creating a green isolation strip around the playground. With modifications to the parking lot, several trees should also be planted.
Modifications in the building:
The object today does not respond to the park on the eastern side - with the boiler room, abandoned garages, electrical distribution. We propose to move the boiler room and electrical distribution to the basement of the former heat exchange station. Sufficient air supply, ventilation, and the release of excess pressure in case of an accident should be solved through the current installation shaft, which we preserve, possibly supplemented with an air supply channel. The subsequent demolition of all extensions on the eastern side frees up space for a new wing. The terrace on the northern side of the building is oversized and unused. We propose to build over a strip approximately 3m wide to expand the building. Furthermore, we propose to demolish the floor over the maternal center.
Layout:
The principle of the solution is to utilize all usable areas and to minimally increase the existing volume of the building. The current spaces are utilized to the maximum, but everything unnecessary is mercilessly demolished. The center is the foyer with a cloakroom, leading into the main hall, library, café, small hall, offices, and exhibition space, through which access is provided to the clubrooms, rehearsal room, and actors' dressing rooms. A separate entrance for performers is established on the eastern side. The dressing rooms can also be used by music school students and other performers and users of the hall. If necessary, the adjacent clubrooms can also be used as dressing rooms. The music rehearsal room is supplemented with a storage room that can be equipped with recording equipment, allowing for a small recording studio to be established if desired. Rehearsals can also take place in the adjacent clubroom. The entire operation, with the exception of machinery rooms in the basement and the service block (projection room, lighting technician, sound engineer) on the upper floor, is planned on one floor. Thus, the building can function without special modifications for wheelchair users. Small height differences (40cm) are overcome with ramps. The only staircase in the building is for employees. We propose to demolish the existing steep and difficult-to-navigate stairs and to build a new one in the same location. We allow for non-conflicting access to the basement, to the floor at the level of the projection room, further to the interstitial floor above the hall, and to the roof, which we use for the installation of devices utilizing solar energy for water heating, or possibly electricity production.
Black box:
In this specific case, we understand it as a hall that can easily transform from a hall with a tiered floor (essentially a traditional proscenium) to a hall with a flat floor. By providing auxiliary storage, lighting, and sound, it can serve all activities listed in the program and still some others. It depends on the creative abilities of the users. We propose that rows of seats (after folding the backs) slide into a recess between the hall and the cloakroom. We utilize the prefabricated “stage system” originally designed for schools. It is also excellent for our purpose. Stackable tables and chairs can be stored in side pockets at the hall level, platforms in the unused basement space for the orchestra. A table elevator is proposed for handling. We recommend using platforms only in justified cases (like a runway during fashion shows or seating and stage arrangement during any special performance). The hall, where balls, concerts, conferences, and commercial events are held, should have a certain nobility. Unfortunately, that is one of the few things that a classic black box cannot ensure. Therefore, we propose the interior of the hall as a box into which a rounded structure of golden color is inserted, ideally made from elm or one of the exotic woods. The wood helps with acoustics, as well as humanizes the impression. The ceiling should be modified so that from the upper interstitial space (well accessible from the newly adjusted staircase) there is access to the lights and devices installed in or below the ceiling. Traditional stages are left for the needs of proscenium performances. The black box is proposed only in the space of today's hall. Its dimensions will meet the required activities. For balls, we propose making use of the foyer and service from the café.
Café:
The café is designed to have direct contact with the library, foyer, but could also function independently.
Library:
The library is divided into a section for children and a section for adults. In the publicly accessible part, books are stored in standard shelves – for adults 6 shelves, for children 5 shelves high. In the deposit store, we propose compact sliding shelves, which significantly save space. For children, a separate reading room - playroom is created, which has direct access to the children's playground. For adults, the reading room - internet room is designed to allow access from the café as well. The library is designed simply, but to carry out any further activities, the foyer, café, small hall, and exhibition space next to the small hall can be utilized. Thus, it is unnecessary to build separate spaces directly in the library, which can still create a comfortable, functioning whole with them.
Maternal center:
Utilizes the former service apartment and one room on the upper floor. It is already inhabited, with windows facing south and an established children’s playground. We do not consider the tie to the café mentioned in the competition conditions as so significant (it involves mothers with very young children) that it would be necessary to build a new maternal center nearby for this reason. We propose to retain it as it is with minor adjustments. We will move the training room from the upper floor to the ground floor near the new entrance. The old entrance from the service yard should be demolished, or used only for employees. The entire upper floor should be demolished. It is an inorganic and unnecessary extension, especially after relocating the actors' dressing rooms to the stage level.
Offices:
We propose three offices. Two for public relations accessible from the foyer and one quiet one, accessible only to employees, at 2.NP level.
Workshops:
We propose an electrical maintenance workshop in 2.NP at the level of the projectionist's, lighting technician's, and sound engineer's cabins. If there is a need for a carpenter's or locksmith's workshop, a workshop and storage can be built as a separate building from the service yard.
Economics:
A total of about 1600 m³ is demolished, new extensions create about 2500 m³. The resulting volume, which affects operating costs, is approximately 900 m³ larger compared to the current state, which we consider a minimum. Comprehensive insulation and the use of solar devices are proposed. Existing air conditioning is essentially retained, but ventilation for the small hall needs to be supplemented.
Proposal No. 14 - Atelier AGM / Jiří Pošmourný, Vojtěch Pošmourný, Caterina Cappelli
a, Principles of spatial solutions in broader contexts
The object of the Cultural House in Vodňany is located at a significant junction of the historic core of the city with the main bus stop, train station, and pedestrian crossing over the railway track towards Nové Město. All these main directions go around the eastern side of the object, which currently houses auxiliary functions and has no relation to these communications. The main northern facade is behind a barrier of terrain elevation and is in a deflected position to the communication directions.
From these starting points, the main idea of the project emerges - to "rotate the object" toward the main communication hub and thus open the building towards the eastern facade and the park. The most exposed point thus becomes the northeast corner, accentuated by material highlighting. The lateral axis of the historic square passing directly through the large hall of the object, which is the symbolic heart of the entire cultural complex, also has considerable significance.
b, Brief clarification of the basic principles of the proposed solution, especially functional content and urbanistic ties, relation to the territorial plan, fulfillment of competition conditions
The principle of the urbanistic solution is to create a relationship between the park, the main communication directions, and the object of the cultural house. The internal arrangement of the layout aims to create the greatest possible variability in the connection of spaces while maintaining their independence. The solution primarily derives from the conditions of the construction program and fulfills it to the maximum extent. The volumetric concept provides the possibility of raising the northeast corner in the future with the potential use of terraces above the foyer and above the library. In the southern part, there is an opportunity to unify the height of 2NP with the level of the library.
The main entrance to the object is formed by an entrance foyer, which is followed by a cloakroom and hygiene facilities. From the foyer, there is direct access to the main hall. Furthermore, both the cinema and the café are accessible through the entrance foyer.
The multifunctional hall is expanded to the maximum extent possible and is equipped on its sides with walkways for spectators accessible from two staircases. To allow for the utilization of an effective telescopic tribune, which does not require additional storage space for platforms, the staircase to the basement and the technical walkway have been adjusted so that they do not interfere with the space of the hall and existing technical conduits and structures. In the event of a telescopic tribune deployment, the hall offers 345+100 (445) seats including balconies. Suspended acoustic panels are designed under the balconies to allow the modification of proportions from a black box to a free hall. The panels also allow the creation of alternative spaces and optimization of acoustic comfort by their rotation. To achieve maximum variability of the hall, a lift in the existing orchestra pit is proposed, which allows for leveling the difference between the floor and the stage. When the telescopic tribune is retracted, the acoustic panels fully opened, and the lift sunken, the hall offers 430m2 of dance floor space. For acoustic reasons, the walls of the hall are equipped with absorbing elements according to calculations, and a concert shell is proposed behind the lift. To achieve maximum volume of the hall, the ceiling of the existing truss structure is removed. The created space is supplemented with suspended absorbing elements and technical walkways. Existing accesses from the exterior are used for the hall, including the possibility of vehicle access.
The cinema rooms are located in a remote part of the existing foyer and connect through a common cloakroom and hygiene facilities to the pre-space of the multifunctional hall. The originally glazed facade of the foyer is closed at the cloakroom and cinema points. Between the large hall and the foyer of the cinema, there is a bar allowing service to both spaces simultaneously, or separately. The foyer freely connects to the café situated at the corner of the object with further connections to the reading room of the library up to the maternal center. The location of the café provides contact with the frequented part of the park, and its forecourt allows for the placement of outdoor seating. The performers' cloakrooms with clubrooms are located in the space of the existing maternal center behind the stage.
On the upper floor of the object, in the enlarged eastern part, lies the space of the library, accessible again from the eastern side. The separate children's part of the library is finished with a playroom located above the maternal center. To achieve the required capacity of the library's deposit, its expansion into the upper unused part of the proscenium is proposed so that it does not reduce the utility of the rigging. An escape staircase is proposed on the northern side of the library, forming a significant architectural element. Through the southern staircase, administrative parts are accessible, from which one can access the entire object either through the library or via a bridge leading into the multifunctional hall.
The basement of the object is utilized as a music rehearsal room and existing air conditioning with a workshop. Under the café space, the boiler room is situated. For its relocation, the use of light roofing of the basement at the location of the existing tank is considered. Due to the terrain break, it is possible to place the explosion wall and exhaust of the boiler room directly to the exterior. Exhausts of the air conditioning are diverted by 90° so as to allow spatial connections between the café and foyer.
The project’s effort is to minimize demolition work and to use the existing structures. At the café, reading room, and entrance to the library, the existing boiler structure is preserved, and the breakthroughs connect to the expanded part. To unify the height levels in the eastern part, the southern part of the object has retreated, merging with the new part at the library's storage location. Thanks to this solution, the existing staircase of the southern part of the building could be preserved. The built-up space is overall increased by approximately 1550m³. The cladding of the building with ventilated thermal insulation and compactness of the mass solution brings a reduction in energy for heating and ventilating the object.
c, Justification of the chosen urbanistic-architectural solution
By expanding the mass of the object on the eastern side and emphasizing the northeast corner, the object gains a connection with the frequented part of the park and opens itself more to the public. Previously backgrounded commercial spaces have a greater potential for their utilization. This urbanistic solution also allows the park to become a meeting place for people and not just characterless “transitional greenery.”
d, Evaluation of the benefits of the proposed solution
- contemporary architectural conception
- free continuity and connectability of spaces
- large capacity and variability of the hall
- opening towards the park and frequented pedestrian communication
- minimization of necessary construction modifications
- energy savings
e, Fulfillment of assignment requirements
The construction program was strictly adhered to, however, some spatial ties were not possible for logical reasons (relationship of the playroom-maternal center-library). The capacity of the hall was intentionally increased compared to the assignment. The multifunctional hall in its theatrical and dance-entertainment form offers high quality and comfort, thus reducing its capacity would be unnecessary and unwise. The volumetric increase reaches approximately half of the maximum required value. The urbanistic context was respected and the design of the project subordinated to it.
Proposal No. 5 - Archcon atelier / Ing. Irena Truhlářová, Ing. Kateřina Výborná, Ing.arch. Jana Zíbarová
Principles of spatial solutions in contexts
The addressed area lies in the central part of the city of Vodňany. Nearby are the bus and train stations, schools, a senior home, a hospital, and other significant places. The most pronounced access to the main entrance of the cultural center is anticipated from the eastern side from the bus station and senior home. We create a generous entrance space; the height difference between the surrounding terrain and the entrance level (up to 1.65 m) is articulated by massive steps, which we propose as seating areas - incorporated into this area are mature trees and suitable festive lighting. Another significant direction is perceived as access from the square – in this direction, we ascend to the entrance level smoothly via a barrier-free ramp. In the southern part of the object, in conjunction with the café and maternal center, we create an extensive terrace with ideal southwest orientation. From the terrace, parents can supervise their children playing on the playground. The space is enlivened by a fountain with a sundial - a typical element of Vodňany's mills and a reminder of the local fishery tradition. The organic system of paths for pedestrians smoothly connects to the main arteries already used by the residents. Access to the cultural house is ensured from the northwest direction, where we have placed parking spaces for employees. For other visitors, the existing parking lot will be used.
Brief clarification of the basic principles of the proposed solution, especially functional content and urbanistic ties, relation to the territorial plan, fulfillment of competition conditions
Basic principles of the proposed solution
The aim of the proposal is to create a multifunctional house with a new representative central space and an open layout allowing uninterrupted functioning of the object as a whole. With regard to the requirement for low operating costs, we propose a compactly shaped house, which maximally approaches the passive standard. Preliminary calculation of the specific heat consumption for heating - 22 kWh/m2.a (according to TNI methodology) indicates a significant reduction in energy consumption for heating compared to conventional construction by up to 75%. With our resources, we modify existing structures to passive standard (insulation) and design new structures primarily as wooden builds in the passive standard. We also consider night pre-cooling, with which we can achieve savings of up to 50% of costs for mechanical cooling during summer. The protection of the object against solar gains in summer is not neglected – we propose passive shading through the projection of structures and active shading with outdoor blinds. The energy concept is supplemented by placing photovoltaic panels on the roof and the southern facade of the object for supplying the proposed object, as well as external consumers with its electricity.
Mass solution, material and color solution:
We supplement the existing incoherent mass to a simple and compact two-story block arranged around the existing hall - a black box (hereinafter “BB”). Part of the existing northern mass is demolished. The mass of the entrance is highlighted by an anthracite cladding made of large-format cement-bonded fiber boards, with evident detailing of anchoring. The entrance is highlighted by white backlit areas (glass or plexiglass). The logo on the side of the house is resolved in the same material as the highlighting of the entrance. During the day, the entrance is identifiable from a distance, in the evening significantly illuminated. On the other parts of the house, we propose a horizontal wooden cladding of thermowood or Siberian larch - this material requires no maintenance. The facade will gain a silvery hue over time. The parts with wooden cladding are shaded by a projecting construction supported by subtle columns. To this construction, exterior textile roller shades are anchored, allowing shading of the object according to the current needs of its users. In the northern part, instead of shades, panels for the placement of promotional materials for current performances are proposed. Shades create a color accent on the facade; we chose an elegant crimson color that emphasizes the importance of the object. The base of the house is treated with stone cladding. The main motif of the interior is the black box, which we conceive in an anthracite color with a hint of purple. The BB contrasts with white large-format tiles and large white inscriptions. The exposed wooden structures and cladding bring intimacy, comfort, and a certain informality to the interior.
Structural solution
Existing structures are adjusted to passive standards. New parts of the building are designed as wooden constructions from massive cross-laminated panels due to the speed of construction and low weight of the structure - minimal loading on existing foundations. Other reasons include quality of the internal environment and the possibility of using exposed structures. We anticipate modifications to existing structures and demolition of part of the northern tract. We copy the existing height arrangement of the house and terrain – part of the object (northern, western, eastern tract) has a floor at the level of +0.000, the southern part is at +0.400. The second floor is at one height of +4.300.
Technical installations of the building - energy concept
For heating, we consider a gas boiler room relocated to the basement. A reduction in the boiler room is anticipated. The air conditioning system will be expanded to ensure controlled ventilation with heat recovery throughout the object. The heating of TUV is solved locally with electric boilers in places of consumption - thus saving costs on TUV circulation. For the summer months, we propose the night pre-cooling of the object (using chimney effect and ventilation blinds). On the facade and roof, photovoltaic panels are placed. The use of energy-saving lighting sources - LED lights, night lighting LED, is considered in the object. Effective shading against excess solar gains is proposed – this reduces the need to cool the object. In winter months, greater gains through the glazed wall and roof of the foyer, which is not shaded by deciduous trees, are anticipated – thus lowering the demands on heating.
Functional content
The foundation of the proposal is the new central space - foyer - sufficiently representative for the proposed type of building. The function of the foyer is to mutually connect all operations in the object. Immediately at the entrance is placed the reception desk. From the foyer, access is provided to the café and its background, maternal center (hereinafter “MC”), spacious cloakroom, hygiene facilities, and two clubrooms. Between the café and MC, a children's corner is placed. The café will serve as a bar during evening events. The café and MC have a shared terrace, which is followed by the children's playground. The foyer on the ground floor forms an antechamber to the Black Box (hereinafter “BB”) and space for an internet corner, which can be moved in case of holding larger events. The BB with a capacity of 315 - 432 seats is accessible for spectators from two sides (east, north), access for performers is from the west. To create the audience area, we anticipate a system of platforms, for which an adjacent storage area is designated. To better connect the BB and the rest of the house, we propose to open part of the wall towards the gallery in the second floor with glazed openings. During performances, the openings will be closed with darkening shades. The zone for performers with changing rooms and hygiene background is located in the western part of the layout; BB is also accessible for vehicle loading from this side. If needed, performers can enter the object separately. For larger groups, adjacent clubrooms can be used as changing rooms. The 1st basement and 2nd floor are publicly accessible from the foyer via an open staircase with an elevator. The band rehearsal room is placed in the basement – no one will disturb it here, creating the needed “underground” creative environment. In the basement, there is the boiler room, workshop, HVAC machine room, and storage areas. The library is placed in the 2nd floor. Thanks to the existing position of the BB, we solved the operation so that each department has its own entrance – the adult library from the foyer gallery, the children's library from the space behind the cinema hall. Libraries are interconnected in the service part via deposits. In front of both libraries, lockers are prepared for visitors. In front of the adult library, a space for temporary exhibitions is proposed, which can utilize the entire foyer gallery. Besides exhibitions, this space will serve as a reading room. The entrance to the children's library is illuminated using a skylight with side ventilation surfaces; part of the floor is open, and light illuminates spaces in the 1st basement. This solution also assists with nighttime ventilation. From the foyer gallery, the cinema for 56 persons is further accessible, which we design to also be usable for chamber music performances or author readings within the event “Zeyerovo Vodňany.” The cinema opens toward the park with a band window. We have placed employee offices next to the children's library, accessible separately from the stairway. Employees can enter through the service entrance. The technical bridge connects to the western part of the BB, thus ensuring visual contact with the hall. With regard to fire safety solutions, we propose two escape routes of type A in the object.
Urbanistic ties
Operations in the cultural house connect to the operations of the city. Waiting for a bus can be shortened in the library, seniors find distraction in the cinema, mothers have peace in the maternal center. For younger schoolchildren, there is a playroom in the library and clubrooms, for older youth there is a band rehearsal room. The own object connects with the park with many recreational areas; the park is designed as a contrast to the building in a natural style with organic shapes of paths and areas.
Authors: Ján Studený, Maroš Bátora, Marián Pocuch
Wider Relationships
The cultural house is a solitary figure in the park. It is an analogous composition connecting public space /park/ with a house of social-civic function /cultural house/, just as the town hall or church in the historical square of the village. The proposal aims to support this analogy - a monumental house surrounded by clearly articulated public space - the park, and the orientation of the main facade with the entrance to the building towards the city and the square.
Park
The proposal preserves the trees and the concept of an English park. It would benefit from delimitation and finishing the southern part towards the railway. In this part, we propose a surface parking for the cultural house and a playground in connection with the maternal center. In the existing park, pathways and other pedestrian communications will be redesigned into a new geometry, further supporting the idea of an equal circuit of the house on three sides – towards the city with a developing structure connecting to municipal sidewalks, towards the train station across the proposed parking lot, and southward towards the crossing over the track to the residential development – around the children's playground.
The cultural house
We understand the existing building as a remnant of a recent era, but it contains valuable elements that we want to transform into the new object. After radical reconstruction of the hall, the background, and foyer still exhibit details /wooden cladding, concrete structures, pavements/, the atmosphere of which we propose to preserve, or we will try to find a way to present them in the new building. The facades of the new object reflect the original growth of buildings around the hall.
Concept
An economical house - a pragmatic decision to occupy as little space as possible, or not to build on any further part of the land. Maximize protection of the park and utilize existing structures for superstructures /or reconstruction/. Surround the hall with functional layout according to the program, with a temporal sequence of use. Adapt the building construction to the price and user parameters for efficiency and operational costs. Create a timeless architecture connected with regional elements – the hall, with surrounding facilities oriented to the street.
Hall - will be transformed into a functional black box: 1. The floor of the hall will be leveled to the level of the current auditorium. 2. The orchestra pit below the stage continues to function as storage. 3. Above the stage, an inserted ceiling for storage platforms operated by a hydraulic platform located at the service yard. Below the ceiling, a rigging system for the stage will be installed. 4. The access areas (cloakroom and bridge above it with a separate staircase, entry to the auditorium from the foyer) will be preserved, in the corner, there is an elevator for service to the library on the 1st floor. In the basement: HVAC with conduits and background of performers in the rear section remains preserved.
Layout solution
The focal point of the building remains the hall transformed into a black box. Around the hall in the shape of the letter U is the program in a two-story layout: foyer, background of the hall, café and clubs on the ground floor, library, study room at the 1st floor.
The ground floor with modifications - the entry into the foyer returned in front of the hall, vertical connection through the auditorium to the library /open vs. closed mode/ - a traversable ramp, auditorium for social events on the ground floor, or usable for events in the library. In the frontal part is the required program laid out: a cinema with a capacity of 50 seats, a clubroom, foyer of the hall with the auditorium, a café - towards the park, in the rear section from the courtyard; background: office, toilets, and storage. The corner café culminates social life inside the building - reflecting its corner location /outward seating on the terrace/. In the eastern tract, we preserve the existing boiler room, which we alternatively propose to relocate to the corner in the southern tract to the service yard, thereby connecting it with the café. We realize the costliness of this operation, so we recommend omitting this connection – the tie remains through the children's library on the first floor. In the rear - southern tract, there are backgrounds for performers: dressing rooms, a rehearsal room, and a storage room in the basement.
Library - we decided to return to the classic arrangement of shelves around the walls. Open shelves offer space for the projected volume of books (45 thousand pcs), in the part above the maternal center with the children's library. The storage is additionally placed in compact shelves on the ground floor. We preserve the interior space, which is used for study rooms, reading rooms, and community activities (clubs behind a dividing partition).
In the ground floor, the required program is arranged in the frontal part: a cinema room with a capacity of 50 seats, a clubroom, foyer of the hall with the auditorium, café to the park, in the rear section; background: office, toilets, and storage. In the eastern tract, we preserve the existing boiler room, which we alternatively propose to relocate to the corner in the southern tract to the service yard, creating a connection with the café. However, we realize the difficulty of this operation, so we recommend omitting this connection – the tie remains through the children's library on the first floor. In the rear - southern tract, there are backgrounds for performers: dressing rooms, a rehearsal room, and a storage room in the basement.
Construction
The extension maximally utilizes the existing structures – the superstructure of a single-tract structure around the black box is supported on one side by its structure /on the hall's columns/, or on the other side uses the originally masonry construction. A lightweight wooden panel system /Novatop/, or masonry construction inserted into the steel skeleton combined with monolithic concrete ceilings will be used.
Fasades
The continuous shelf around the interior of the library is reflected in the uniform facade of the house. It consists of two layers: a) rhythmic division into solid and glazed parts along the entire height of 8 meters rhythms long facades, allowing optimal contact between interior and exterior and lighting, b) inserted segments are an exact reflection of the openings of original facades. The roof is similarly rhythmized with strip skylights.
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