umprum in prague-ďáblice

The concept of the new building works with a simple principle of superimposing volumes – laminating: Two arrays of large skylights are put over a voluminous mass of school workshops cutting spaces into the slope arranged in an open ring around the central courtyard. Four long boxes containing ateliers and schoolrooms rest perpendicularly on them. Detaching the upper volumes from the base allows bring daylight rather deep in the workshops’ layout and naturally ventilate them. In addition, this principle allows cut in fact the whole base into the grade. Working with the volumetry brings up another indispensable benefit – a usable roofscape above the workshops. The secondary rooms can be used for car parking, but they can at the same time become an additional exterior area to the ateliers. Aside from the atelier boxes, there is a sort of a bolt – a glazed gallery or an arcade horizontally connecting all ateliers. Yet there are more consequences linked to using the concept of a classical cloister layout. This is a generally understandable arrangement; it should induce a feeling of quiet and trust in visitors. It brings light and air into the depth of the building, and concentrates and economizes on areas. The multi-purpose courtyard area becomes the centre of gravity of the layout. Working in shops, communicating, exhibiting of works, relaxing, organizing events – all this can fill in the ´open-air hall´. Finally yet importantly, the presented composition is also a conch of its kind – a world of a small town and an environment of an art school are not always compatible and both substructures can enjoy the possibility to close. This is why we keep the walkway outside so that it would not disturb the concentration and monastic intimacy of the school environment.