Kryštof School is an international school for children ages 2 to 7 located in Strašnice, Prague. The school site comprises playful architecture set within a green garden with a playground that is an oasis of creativity.
Our urban solution was based on the physical conditions of the site located near the Prague city ring road. The street which it is located on is visually and acoustically isolated from the adjacent busy expressway by a sound barrier. The building has been designed so the garden behind is also protected by the building acoustically, whilst not overshadowing it.
The architectural expression of the building is highlighted by the varied colours of its façade which are vivid and playful. Our design strived to enhance connection with nature and create an inspiring environment for the children. The different functions of the building are defined by three volumes, which are united by their pitched roof and colourful façades. The classrooms are located on the ground floor, whereby rooms for staff are located on the first floor. In front of the main building, a number of smaller volumes are situated containing ancillary spaces and services which are constructed with green roofs and an aluminium façade facing the main road. Transitional spaces in the centre of the building are used as an entrance area and a coat room for children with a vertical structure connecting these three volumes into one unit. Laths made of cement-bonded fibreboards in the colour of the façade divide the façade vertically creating fine ribbing. The fascia, window surrounds and sills, flashing, drains and vertical downpipes are made of titanzinc sheet.
I am the registered architect and university teacher, the working architect lacking theory who thus (occasionally) creates it (on his own); the principal, conceptual architect, visionary, philosophy and sociology adept and planner. I am interested not only in buildings and interiors but also in complex development of localities and settlements, public area and always holistic approach. With thirty years of experience, I am the partner to rely on in any type of project. I am occasional yachter, skier, snowboarder, biker and kick-boxer and a father of four children.I am the registered architect and university teacher, the working architect lacking theory who thus (occasionally) creates it (on his own); the principal, conceptual architect, visionary, philosophy and sociology adept and planner. I am interested not only in buildings and interiors but also in complex development of localities and settlements, public area and always holistic approach. With thirty years of experience, I am the partner to rely on in any type of project. I am occasional yachter, skier, snowboarder, biker and former kick-boxer and a father of four children.
I came from Plzeň in 1991, at early dark ages of the company and equipped with only a set of technical drawing pens, tracing paper roll, rulers, and acrophobia. And today, I am still with the company as a technical director. Sometimes, I am at the table buried in paperwork, some other time my shoes are dirty with mud from the site, but usually I am satisfied with what we have managed to build. At present, I am working on the design of a new hotel Ritz – Carlton at Old Town Square, Prague; master plan of the residential complex at Na Vackově, Prague where the formation of a completely new district is in progress; and I am also working on the extension of the La Lorraine production plant in Kladno.