Page 93 - AIT1221_E-Paper

Entwurf • Design CMC architects, CZ-Prag
Lageplan • Site view
Grundriss Erdgeschoss • Ground floor plan
Grundriss 5. Obergeschoss • Floor plan level +5
Lichtkonzept Lobby • Lighting concept lobby Entwurfsschema • Design schema the Prague Castle to the west awaits the visitor.
Bauherr • Client J&T Real Estate
Standort • Location Karlín, CZ-Prag
Nutzfläche • Floor space 2.250 m 2
Fotos • Photos BoysPlayNice
Mehr Infos auf Seite • More info on page 142
J&T BANK HEADQUARTER
IN PRAGUE
Over the last two decades, bankers have lost prestige.
Along with them, the bank buildings which are frequently
seen as no more than simply a symbol of male arrogance.
Thanks to sensitive architecture and the integration of pu-
blic uses, CMC have succeeded in interweaving their new
building with the city life and to, for once, free proven in-
vestor architecture from pejorative connotations.
R eclining instead of standing, a block instead of a tower – the buil-
ding typology expresses a pleasant kind of frugality, the foregoing
of establishing a new landmark. Unobtrusive and consistent, the
eight-storey building volume adapts to the surrounding commercial
constructions. Almost modestly since, after all, J&T Banka ranks
among the largest private banks in all of Czechia. In addition to the
traditional financial services, it has developed into the industry leader
above all due to participations in the health-, real estate- and media
sector. With Sparta Prague in the portfolio, nowadays it even calls a
high-ranking football club its own. The design concept by the archi-
tects was preceded by a survey among the employees: comfortable
rooms for talks with clients and internal conferences was the majori-
ty’s wish, places for encounters and for relaxing. Well aware of the
fact that a pleasant room atmosphere is able to contribute to a suc-
cessful talk with clients, David R. Chisholm and Vít Máslo contrast the
strict, regular structures – what is rational – with organic, dynamic
forms – for a touch of emotions. In the entrance hall, 727 mouth-blown
glass crystals, individually suspended from the ceiling and each
equipped with an integrated source of light, combine to form a 20 me-
tres long unique luminaire and are a prestigious prelude. This stylish
welcoming element, the result of cooperating with the Czech Bomma
label of design luminaires, makes the skilful tradition of Bohemian
glass blowing come to life again and distances itself from the stereo-
typical chandelier kitsch. On the ground floor is also a café and it suc-
ceeds in making the city district livelier. Differently curved, parallel ar-
ranged wooden panels here take up the organic wave motif in the
foyer as a soft counter pole to the linear geometries. Not only in the
public gallery, which makes its contribution to a culture-friendly
mixed use, but on all the floors as well, works by contemporary artists
and talented art students decorate the bank building. In the roof gar-
den, a magnificent view of Pavel Janák’s Libeň Bridge to the north and
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