15 years ago, the reconstructed Municipal House was opened

The reconstruction of the Municipal House was dedicated to an entire double issue 14-15/1997 of the magazine Architect.

Prague - 15 years ago, on April 30, 1997, the Municipal House in Prague was ceremoniously opened after extensive reconstruction. The restoration of one of Prague's most radiant architectural gems took nearly two and a half years, cost 1.8 billion crowns, and its generosity surpassed similar projects in the Rudolfinum and the National Theatre, according to experts.
      The late Art Nouveau Municipal House was created according to the design of architects Antonín Balšánek and Osvald Polívka. It was built between 1905 and 1911, and its interior decoration involved the most renowned Czech artists of the time, such as Alfons Mucha, Mikoláš Aleš, Max Švabinský, and František Ženíšek.

On the technical solution:
The building was surprisingly modern for its time. Despite its relatively robust appearance, it was relatively light, particularly in areas above ground level. While the vertical load-bearing structures are mainly composed of massive walls, the ceiling structures above Smetana Hall are supported by four columns. Most ceiling structures were made of so-called Klein ceilings - coupled ceramic blocks placed on rolled steel beams. Some parts of the ceiling structures were made of hollow tiles, and occasionally reinforced concrete was also used for horizontal structures. In the spaces facing the Republic Square, such as exhibition halls, the Grégr Hall, and the Sladkovský Hall, even steel frame riveted constructions were used. The vaults were in the basements.
     The designers of the building seemingly fully accepted the architectural proposal, and thus the ceilings in the above-ground parts of the building, which visually represent vaults, are not actually vaults. They are constructed from steel riveted beams, on which approximately 6 to 8 cm thick "monier" panels are hung, which shape-wise simulate vaults. The steel structures used in the construction of the Municipal House would deserve a special discussion in their own right. It is surprising that the oversight of monument preservationists, which focused primarily on the interior decoration of the building, largely overlooked their structural and aesthetic values.