New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti

New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Exterior PhotographyNew Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Exterior Photography, FacadeNew Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Interior Photography, StairsNew Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Image 5 of 39New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - More Images+ 34

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  13350
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2020
  • Photographs
    Photographs:David Korsa
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Glass System, Remmers, Sixinch, VitrA, Wicona
  • Lead Architects: Ladislav Kuba, Tomáš Pilař. Martin Klimecký
More SpecsLess Specs
New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Exterior Photography
© David Korsa
New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Image 31 of 39
Plan - Ground floor
New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Exterior Photography, Facade
© David Korsa

Text description provided by the architects. The original canteen and dormitory buildings by the architect Karel Prager are only the torso of an unfinished university campus on the banks of the Vltava River. The canteen itself was never fully used as intended. The 1980s building, built using a demanding lift-slab construction method with its deep central square disposition, had an indisputable architectural quality at the time of its construction. However, a radical change was necessary to accommodate the new needs of the Faculty of Humanities.

New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Interior Photography
© David Korsa
New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Image 17 of 39
© David Korsa
New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Image 35 of 39
Section - B

The conversion project preserves the external shape, height, and proportions of the original canteen building. The main intervention is the creation of a generous central hall, illuminated from above, with daylight coming in between the trusses of the skylights. The hall is the heart and the social center of the faculty which spatially connects all three floors of the building. The entrance, located on the level of a raised plateau, enables a simple connection of all floors by two differently shaped one-flight staircases.

New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Exterior Photography
© David Korsa

Cantilevered galleries along the perimeter of the hall provide access to seminar rooms, teachers’ offices, and two lifts with fire escape staircases. The lowest level of the hall accommodates large common lecture halls, auditorium, faculty’s library, and the deanery. Prevailing materials in the interior are exposed concrete combined with a fine metal ceiling mesh, black floor screed, and white wooden elements and furniture. The space is dominated by a variably set seating furniture in orange.

New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, Chair
© David Korsa

The external structural glazing is designed primarily as effective acoustic protection against the noise from a six-lane ring road in the immediate vicinity of the building. A Double-skin façade allows for natural ventilation and regulated sun shading of the interior space. Rounded glass corners are a link to the original architecture. The conversion of the canteen is a part of a large complex which includes two high-rise dormitory buildings sharing a common base. Completion of the outdoor areas, access roads, and greenery will be a subject of the next stage of the construction.  

New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti - Exterior Photography
© David Korsa

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Pátkova 5, 182 00 Praha 8, Czech Republic

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "New Headquarters of the Faculty of Humanities Charles University / Kuba & Pilar architekti" 28 Jan 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/975961/new-headquarters-of-the-faculty-of-humanities-charles-university-kuba-and-pilar-architekti> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.