The House of Art, Ústí nad Labem
We conjured the House of Arts Ústí nad Labem out of a former university canteen. Today, it serves as a key cultural and educational institution for the regional capital, a hub where academic experts and the public meet. With nearly 700 m² of exhibition space and a multi-functional hall, it is tailor-made for presenting contemporary art, as well as hosting lectures, workshops, and discussions.
Location:
Ústí nad Labem - city
Client:
Jan Evangelista Purkyně University
Status:
Completion
Year of completion:
2021
Built-up area:
700 m²
Budget:
50 million CZK
Architects:
Jan Vondrák, Filip Cerha, Jan Mach
Design engineer:
Mjölking s.r.o.
Photographs:
Martin Polák
Where dishes once clinked, the smell of gravy filled the air, and sweaty cooks served mashed potatoes from behind the counters, art is now served as the main course. We are no strangers to Ústí, we know that this city hidden under a veil of pungent aromas can surprise. It started with a phone call. The dean of the Faculty of Art and Design called and offered us a sweet treat amidst standard architectural challenges: converting the canteen into a House of Arts. An opportunity like this doesn't come along every day. Transforming a building that used to cater to basic human needs into an institution of such a lofty character was a challenge, so we grabbed onto the project faster than manhole covers disappear in Předlice on a Friday night.
The design was based on the faculty's requirements. Elevating a former catering facility into a sanctuary for the Arts was no easy feat. However, through the new design, we have given the old building the grandeur that such an institution undoubtedly deserves. The project reveals the hidden qualities of the original structure. By partially freeing up the layout, we brought more light and a touch of refined charm to the basement spaces. The new layout meets the high demands of contemporary gallery operations, complemented by a multi-functional hall and artist residences.
Water rushes under Koucký's bridge and the former canteen is now a venue for art. The transformation took years, and they were by no means easy. The project was challenging not only due to the technical condition of the building, but also because of its fundamentally different typology. Today, the stress of the construction process is veiled in a blur of memories. What stands before us is a proud institution born from the ruins of a canteen once scented with spices and alphabet soup. The House of Arts stands tall among the surrounding apartment blocks. A white phantom amidst colorful facades, it brings a breath of fresh air to the heavy atmosphere of industrial Ústí, signaling that better times are dawning.
