The Academy of Art and Design in Prague is set to undergo a two-year reconstruction

Prague - The Arts and Crafts University (UMPRUM) in Jan Palach Square is set to undergo a major reconstruction starting in 2026, costing approximately 330 million CZK. For at least two years, it will relocate to the first floor of the Karlín Barracks. Students bid farewell to the main building with an exhibition of works from all studios, Arts Semester winter 2025/26. This concludes the celebrations of the 140th anniversary of the school's founding. The public can view the students' works from today until Sunday, December 21. The state of the building and the exhibition were presented to journalists today by representatives of the school.

The monumentally protected Neo-Renaissance building from the 1880s is being reconstructed in phases, according to Daniela Sládková from the school's investment and legal department. The project was developed directly at the school and is signed by Roman Brychta, head of one of the architectural studios and one of the authors of the National Technical Library in Dejvice.

"He is the author of the proposal for the reconstruction of the entire building. Although the reconstruction is being done in parts, it is designed as a whole. The phasing is a consequence of funding," said Sládková.

In the next two years, workers will create a side entrance from Alšovo nábřeží to ensure barrier-free access. An elevator will be installed in one of the two newly covered skylights. A new roof terrace will be created, which will become an exhibition space. Almost all utilities need to be renovated.

The budget is approximately 330 million CZK, with part of the costs covered by subsidies from the Operational Program Jan Amos Komenský. The reconstruction of the highest fourth floor and towers has been completed, costing 63 million CZK. According to Brychta's design, large round windows with views of historic Prague were created in the two towers of the school. Two years ago, the school also relocated its workshop operations to the renovated building on Mikulandská Street, its technology center. The adaptation of their original spaces cost about 61 million CZK.

"We hope to immediately proceed to the next phase of reconstruction, in which we would remodel the studios," Sládková stated.

The school community bids farewell to the building with an exhibition on most floors, preceded on Wednesday evening by a video mapping on the facade of UMPRUM, created by students. The sequence projected from the opposite Rudolfinum was repeated for about an hour. Works from several studios can be seen in the exhibition. "It refers not only to the architecture of the school but also to the current creative direction of the students," said UMPRUM rector Jindřich Vybíral regarding the projection with six lasers.

The Arts Semester winter 2025/2026 is an exhibition of thesis and semester works. All studios participated, including architects, designers, glassmakers, ceramists, fashion creators, and digital content creators, as well as graphic designers, photographers, animators, and typographers.

UMPRUM has been based in its monumental Neo-Renaissance building on Jan Palach Square since 1885. It was then a new building designed by architects Jan Machytka and František Schmoranec Jr. with three floors. After World War II, a rooftop extension with a fourth floor was added.