About project
Within the design we define the architectural solution of the public spaces in front of the Exhibition Centre and the Industrial Palace itself. Our aim is to specify the palette of materials to be used, to design a comprehensive landscape solution and to equip the space with complementary elements such as urban furniture, lighting, etc.
The compositional principles of the design are firmly linked to the building of the Industrial Palace and are based on the original plan by Antonín Wiehl and Bedřich Munzberger.
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Client
Výstaviště Praha, a.s.
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Year
2025
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Location
Výstaviště 67, Prague 7 - Bubeneč
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Size
64075 m2
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Authors
Martin Stára
Barbora Kuciaková
Libuša Rybanská
Jakub Herza -
Co-authors
Kristýna Stará
Miroslav Slezák -
Visualisations
Perspektiv
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Cooperation
David Hora (blue-green infrastructure),
Profigrass (irrigation),
Tomáš Cach and Petr Horský (transport solutions),
IPR
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Compositional principles
The main axis is determined by the symmetry of the palace and is connected to the axis of Dukelských Hrdinů Street. The width of the street profile of Dukelských Hrdinů Street is also reflected in the width of the newly designed tree line and pool. The paved area in the central part functions as a cobbled “carpet” that guides the visitor directly to the Industrial Palace and then to the Křižík Fountain and pavilions.
The secondary axes are clearly defined by the original composition of the buildings and are delineated between the Lapidarium and the Academy of Fine Arts building in the first case and the Bohemia Restaurant and Tipsport Arena
in the second case.
The focus of the design is naturally defined by the frontages of the individual buildings. The size dimension reflects the importance of the building. The final centre of gravity is in the former gateway area between the info and police buildings.
Selection of materials
Beige granite paving of various formats dominates, which refers in colour to the historically occurring beige clay. The laying system contextually responds to the building articulation, main entrances and naturally leads to attractors.
The central area functions as a multifunctional entrance promenade, which functions primarily for pedestrians and leads them from the entrance through the complex and the future passage in the Industrial Palace to the rear of the complex to the Křižík Fountain. It must also be used for the passage of vehicles (maintenance, IZS, vehicles transporting exhibition exhibits, stands, installations, etc.) To maintain the presentability and durability of the passage of this area, a medium cut format is proposed.
Side roads will be paved with classic chipped cobblestone specific for the Exhibition Grounds. All interfaces around individual buildings and functional units are lined with curbs.
The next layer is represented by lines composed of bright small split cubes that appear throughout the design, accompanying the visitor and suggesting the focal spaces by their density and placement.
Selected elements in the design
Furniture
The standard furniture, i.e. benches, are taken from the manual of the Exhibition Grounds and the same models are used that are found everywhere in the area. The same as for the rubbish bins and bike racks. The material palette of the proposed furnishings combines black / dark grey on metal elements with natural light wood.
Additional furnishings
In addition to the standard furnishings, we also add picnic seating, benches around trees, freely placed furnishings such as armchairs or deck chairs, as well as Prague chairs and tables, which can be placed almost anywhere thanks to their lightness and stackability. Their use is suitable for organised events or festivals.
Water features
The placement of water features is crucial for cooling the public space and improving the microclimate of the paved area. Reference projects work with water as an accessible water surface, or with water in the form of jets or mist. The placement of drinking fountains is appropriate in the space, ideally near the gastro.
Lighting
The aim is to select standardised luminaires to be used across the site.
Entrance gates and fencing
A key design requirement is the ability of the operator to close the site as required for events. The mobile gates were developed as a compromise between a permanently closed and fully accessible solution. The sliding system is based on tracks which are located in front of the southern facades of the entrance buildings. The mobile section forms the main entrance, the side axis is flanked by permanent fencing that partially follows the existing position. The sliding nature of the individual modules allows for variability of use – sales counters can be placed here, or exhibition information can be provided to a subtle extent.
Vegetation adjustments
The importance of trees in space
The climate changes observed in recent years are particularly evident in urban environments. The general development of this issue predicts to some extent the emergence of the urban heat island effect. The most effective measures for adaptation to climate change in our latitudes are currently considered by climate experts to be trees with large crowns. The range of trees proposed is based on historical evidence and also builds on existing trees found in or near the site.
Surface greenery
An important element of the surface greenery in the Exhibition Grounds are residential lawns. Grass mixtures that are able to withstand high loads are considered. In the forecourt of the palace itself, in the area in front of the left and right wings, an area of bulb planting is proposed. Perennial planting is being considered in the area in front of the AVU and Lapidarium. The aim is to build on the ornamental plantings that were there in the past.
Blue-Green Infrastructure
The aim of the proposal is to use green spaces for rainwater harvesting, which will be achieved by sloping paved surfaces towards the green spaces. New tree planting in the main pedestrian corridor is placed in an interconnected root space that acts as a subsurface retention furrow. The irrigation system will be designed on the most heavily used central lawn, it is envisaged to use water collected in storage tanks.
Activities and operations
Everyday enjoyment
The aim of the design is to activate the forecourt even during everyday use by designing a multifunctional promenade with benches, semi-paved living areas with picnic tables or chairs, green areas in the shade inviting to sit on the grass.
Space for activities of various scales
The newly created areas, however, offer multifunctionality and variability in the location of various activities, organization of events and festivals, whether new or with a long tradition linked to the Exhibition Grounds – such as Design Market, Legends, etc.
