Forest in the City
Czech Technical University Prague
Study for Bachelor Thesis
2018
The classical barracks in Prague were damaged during the flood in 2002 and abandoned after.
Today they are going to to be transform into the Palace of Justice.
Because of the the purpose of the building is important to preserve the memory of this place, not only in the flood in 2002 but also in the overall character of Karlin, as an industrial district where chaos has always been present.
The building will serve for public purpose, the court should be open to the public. I have
preserved the features that are today the value of the place, such as summer cinema, galleries, playgrounds and especially the feeling that you are not in the city center.
On the ground floor of the building, I design the city library, kindergarten, café and
shops. In the area of former garages is a gallery, a concert hall and a bistro. The life on the ground floor of the building gradually dissipated. Every function I placed in the building has its place outside the yard. The whole court is divided into four parts, according to the function there. The section at the entrance to the Palace of Justice is the most representative. It serve to relaxation not only court employees. There are several rooms, each offering a different level of intimacy. In front of the entrance is a water surface that reflects the majesty of the barracks.
The main element of the cultural part is the stage, which consists of drawing the panel to a certain height. The scene can be used as a basis for artistic installations such as a stage and a summer cinema. The relaxation area consists of 3 playgrounds and intimate coffee and reading areas.
The significance of the exterior of the building is expressed by a tile that resembles a concrete panel used by soldiers to build roads. The pavement is designed in different parts with a different joint.
At the entrance to the Palace of Justice, the panels are tilted close to each other. There is a gap of 5 centimeters in the cultural section with the stage, but the base is drained with gravel, so the gap does not grow. In places of relaxation, the pavement is placed in the subsoil, so the grass grows between the joints.
The fourth part of the yard is a forest. Dense birch that is pleasant to discover. Indoors there are hidden rooms, but you have to find them and do not lead to them. In one, there is a small water
surface that reflects the sky and trees, the same shape as the one in front of the Palace of Justice. A
small lookout tower overlooking the forest, which overlooks the courtyard.
