In the Clementinum, a depository is being considered in the courtyard

Prague - The National Library in Prague is considering building a book repository in one of the courtyards of Klementinum. According to National Library (NK) spokesperson Barbora Stýblová, a ground-level repository is included in one of the five variants of reconstruction recommended by the library's management for further development. According to her, a subterranean repository will not be created.
    The library's official statement does not correspond with the documentation for the construction environmental impact assessment EIA, for which the National Library is indeed the notifier, and which was published on Monday, August 10. This includes the construction of "a one-story underground repository in the area of the Economic Courtyard." In total, the new underground section, which includes both the repository and parking spaces, should have just under 6000 cubic meters.
    The National Library refuses to provide further information about the reconstruction of Klementinum, only referring to a terse press release, according to which Metroprojekt Praha, a.s. presented several revitalization options for Klementinum to the library's management. They recommended working out five alternatives, which should be completed by the end of September.
    According to the EIA documentation, the repair of Klementinum will involve all its buildings except for the churches of St. Clement and the Most Holy Savior. The National Library does not own these.
    Klementinum is expected to receive new facades and windows during the reconstruction, but also more extensive changes. For example, the services hall is expected to be demolished, and a multi-story building could rise in its place. There are also plans to roof over the Theatre Courtyard, from which elevators and staircases would lead to other parts of the library.
    Additionally, two levels of underground garages should be built under the Technical Courtyard. Stýblová told ČTK on Tuesday that a proposal for a large entrance into Platnéřská Street had been completely rejected.
    "In addition to improving conditions for readers and researchers, there will also be a greater opening of the area to the public," the documentation states, adding that the most beautiful baroque spaces will be designated for exhibitions about the history of Klementinum. Parts of the area will also be provided by the library to other institutions for scientific and cultural activities.
    The library's management plans to revitalize the courtyards, which will be newly paved; greenery will be planted in the Main and Student Courtyards, and benches will be placed there. If there are no objections from heritage conservators, a baroque garden could be restored in the Révové Courtyard.
    As the planning of Klementinum's reconstruction is still in the study phase, heritage conservators have not yet examined it. "Once we are presented with the project, we will express whether it will not damage the monument," said Zdeňka Kalová, spokesperson for the National Heritage Institute, to ČTK.
    The reconstruction of the library will also bring several interesting technical solutions. According to the proposal, for instance, water from the Vltava could cool the interior spaces; a similar solution is reportedly used in the National Theatre, Rudolfinum, or Hilton Hotel. The water would likely be pumped from Alšovo embankment and released further downstream. In case of fire, the repository would be extinguished by high-pressure water mist. The functional part of the pneumatic tube system will also be preserved.
    The library has been planning the reconstruction and revitalization of Klementinum for a long time but primarily wanted to combine it with the construction of a new building, which was supposed to address capacity issues. The project for the new building is currently dead for political reasons; the library is now focusing on building other spatial capacities.
    Therefore, they want to expand the repository in Hostivař; according to Stýblová, its completion should enter the zoning procedure phase in the coming days. Part of the operations and part of the repositories are to be relocated to Hostivař.