VŠPJ Lecture Center, Jihlava, Czech Republic, Czech College Building, Architecture Images

VŠPJ Lecture Center in Jihlava

23 Jun 2020

VŠPJ Lecture Center

Architects: Qarta architektura

Location: Tolstého 1556, 586 01 Jihlava, Czech Republic

VŠPJ Lecture Center

“The city of Jihlava has long endeavored to have its own college campus. We see the presence of students as essential for the city’s cultural progress. The College’s position has been strengthened significantly by the new lecture center and auditorium. Being the largest space suitable for conferences or conventions available at the moment, the auditorium has become an important venue for various social events. During the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, the city council meetings were also held here.

For the city and the region the building has a symbolic meaning, too. In the 1950s, a controversial communist party show trial and subsequent executions happened here, and the new building finally started to redefine this sad legacy. Its contemporary architecture is quite clear about the message it wants to give. Tearing down the five-meter tall prison wall offered us new and optimistic vistas. In many ways, the building itself seems to be an active participant in the rediscovery of Jihlava’s political, social and cultural identity.”
(Martin Laštovička, Deputy Mayor for Heritage and City Assets)

The wing reconstruction area and the new lecture room VŠPJ (College of Polytechnics) is a modern concept of rapidly developing education center located in northeastern corner of the lot, which was originally perceived as a farmyard. The place of the new building is strictly symmetrical, markedly triangular, thus for a construction seemingly disadvantageous. The authors from the studio Qarta architektura changed the disadvantage to an advantage by using the shape and by a link up to the existing block they gained compact space for a large span construction.

Roundness of the corner contributes to integration of a mass into a complex context; the offset façade is another trace of a new shape, creating a transition space. Inside a super elevated hall is amphitheatrical seating for 333 students. Thanks to the steepness of the stands the arena offers excellent visibility as well as pure acoustics. Tribunes have underpass, the space under them will be used for social events. Connecting presentation hall leads to a classical element of higher education “alchemistic workshop”, represented today by multimedia laboratory “virtual factory”.

In contrast to the auditorium is a reconstruction of the original part of the historical pentagon, which was formally a court with a prison. Strictness, firm order, rigidity and oppressive atmosphere were clearly evident at the beginning of the undertaking and the authors were fully aware, that the premises will newly serve young people with open mind on their way to higher education. The motto became a colorful, inspiring and non-conforming environment, preserving the historical footprint. The traditional materials are in a visible, original form; the industrial character is fully linked to the auditorium. A sole chapter was the discovery and the engagement of historical footprints, return of the original ceramic floor or stone sills with traces of bars, which make for a great experience in the interior.

The new auditorium of VŠPJ is modern concept of dynamic contemporary architecture with industrial elements in a minimalist style in direct contrast to the original site and its newly reconstructed part of northeastern wing. Whole area is easy to navigate and today, thanks to the enlightened leadership of the institution, is open not only to students and educators, but also to its surroundings, fully in accordance with the philosophy of the modern college VSPJ.

The many exposed architectural concrete surfaces give the new auditorium ample opportunity to showcase the raw quality of its cast-in-situ reinforced concrete structure. Jet grouted columns in combination with reinforced concrete slab form the foundation for the building. The long-span concrete load-bearing structure is topped by a star-shaped steel structure bearing a flat timber truss roof. The raw feeling of the interior is underlined by grind and seal poured concrete floors, anthracite grey aluminium windows and doors, black wall tiles and black fabrics of the auditorium seats. The new outer skin facade made of vertical aluminium louvres creates a welcome contrast to the decorative look of the restored historical building.

VŠPJ Lecture Center, Jihlava – Building Information

Architects: Qarta architektura

Authors: Jiří Řezák, David Wittassek, Pavel Fanta and Lukáš Němeček

Project location: Tolstého 1556, 586 01 Jihlava, Czech Republic
Project year: 2016-2017
Completion year: 2018-2019
Built-up area: 1.800 sqm
Usable floor area: 3.675 sqm
Total price: 6 500 000 €

Client: College of Polytechnics Jihlava (VŠPJ)

General Contractor: Podzimek a synové | Zbyněk Šťastný | Construction manager

Materials
architectural concrete | auditorium walls
Dekplan 76 roof membrane | auditorium roof
Weberpas silikon Concrete mock architectural concrete – KZS finishing render | auditorium facade
Cembrit roof tiles „Danish rectangle“ | existing building roof
KGJ sheet metal, mock copper | roofing, gutters, tower roof
Keim Historische edition | existing building final coating
WD Real 78 wooden Euro windows | wooden windows and doors
Aluprof facade system | auditorium, existing building
HSE galvanized steel door frames | existing building
Rako Color Two 10×10 black wall tile mosaic | bathrooms, whole project
Solid 270 Pinacles PVC flooring | office floors
Milky Rock three-layer wooden floor strips | auditorium floor
Cemlevel grind and seal concrete | „virtual factory“ and auxiliary rooms
Heradesign acoustic cladding | auditorium wall cladding
Rigiton 10/23 acoustic ceiling | auditorium ceiling

About Qarta architektura
Qarta architektura is a creative studio with colorful palette of Concept Designs together with a number of successful executed projects. This wide range of works is based on company’s inner philosophy to seek variety and to design with a think-out-of-the-box approach. Numerous awards such as The Architecture Grand Prix, Best of Realty or Building of the Year are, according to Managing Directors Jiří Řezák and David Wittassek, the proof of highly fine-tuned outcomes. “The basis of our approach is the focus on quality of life,” says Jiří Řezák while David Wittassek complements: “We believe that the amiability of our buildings comes from a precise and detailed design with emphasis on complex aesthetics”.

Photography: BoysPlayNice | [email protected] | www.boysplaynice.com

VŠPJ Lecture Center in Jihlava, Czech Republic images / information received 230620

Location: Tolstého 1556, 586 01 Jihlava, Czech Republic