The building housing the Artistic Workshops of the Pedagogical Faculty of Masaryk University has been opened in Brno. The modern building is located in the old part of the city and is directly adjacent to the historical building of the university. The bold design was carried out by Michal Palaščak of Studio dílna.
Until recently, students of the Faculty of Education had to use the premises of other faculties. This caused many logistical problems. The university authorities decided to change this and asked the architect to prepare an extension project.
The new wing now provides space for various forms of artistic expression. Here, students can work on projects, cut metals, combine structures, paint pictures or sculpt.
We designed a building with clean, simple forms that contrast with the historical surroundings, adding a dynamic energy to the place. The structure is more reminiscent of a modern art gallery than a traditional educational facility, standing out in the street space and engaging in a dialogue between the neo-classical architecture of the surrounding buildings and its own shapes,” describes architect Michal Palaščak.
The site was previously occupied by three structures from different periods: the demolished pavilion of the former shooting range, a substation and the recently added lift that serves the neighbouring historic building. The project was shaped not only by the client’s requirements, but also by several constraints. One significant challenge was to keep the substation fully functional throughout the construction process. The solution was a solid, monolithic reinforced concrete structure, which allowed for a bridge of sorts over the substation and mitigated any impact on the structural stability of the gable wall of the listed building and the lift shaft.
Another challenge was to provide sufficient natural light. The side wall is devoid of windows, so it was necessary to design skylights.
The modern chic of the building has been achieved with a clean form. Smooth white plaster and large frameless glazing give the new art studios a very modern look.
‘One of the most positive aspects of this project was the client’s openness to an unconventional approach, adopting a design that went beyond the typical architecture of educational institutions and was more focused on the spatial aesthetic of the gallery,’ adds the architect.
As a result, the Faculty of Education received a high-quality architecture. The success of the project is also evidenced by the attitude of the students. It turned out that they spend much more time in the building than their classes would suggest.
design: Studio dílna – Michal Palaščak, www.palascak.com
photos: Studio Flusser, www.studioflusser.com
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