#Multifunctional building #Prague (Praha) #1926
Spálená 75/16
110 00
Prague (Praha),
Czechia
Public transport: Národní třída
Access: Public building, free entry during working hours
Today's use: Multifunctional building
Description
This eight-story building was constructed as a multifunctional building. This is clearly defined by the design of the facade. Shops, a cafe, a wine bar and a cinema are part of the lower ground floor and first floor. Continuous window fronts were designed for the shops. This requires a reinforced concrete frame construction to hold the building inside. Offices were built on the upper floors. The two top floors are equipped with terraces and are used for living. A passage leads to the back of the house, with which even more shops can be set up. The former Olympic cinema gave the name to the entire building. Nowadays the theatre Ypsilon uses these rooms. The cinema and other interior furnishings were not designed by Krejcar, but by Paul Sydow. He used Art Deco forms, which seem very heavy for this puristically built house. This was strongly criticized by the architect Jan Evangelista Koula at the time. The commemorative plaque on the house reminds us that the artist Josef Mánes died in the previous building in 1871.
Description
This eight-story building was constructed as a multifunctional building. This is clearly defined by the design of the facade. Shops, a cafe, a wine bar and a cinema are part of the lower ground floor and first floor. Continuous window fronts were designed for the shops. This requires a reinforced concrete frame construction to hold the building inside. Offices were built on the upper floors. The two top floors are equipped with terraces and are used for living. A passage leads to the back of the house, with which even more shops can be set up. The former Olympic cinema gave the name to the entire building. Nowadays the theatre Ypsilon uses these rooms. The cinema and other interior furnishings were not designed by Krejcar, but by Paul Sydow. He used Art Deco forms, which seem very heavy for this puristically built house. This was strongly criticized by the architect Jan Evangelista Koula at the time. The commemorative plaque on the house reminds us that the artist Josef Mánes died in the previous building in 1871.
History
Ideas to built a new house at this place blowed up in 1923. The plans of the Jaromír Krejcar date back to 1925 and were realized in 1926. The opening of the house in 1927 was a sensation. It was one of the first houses built with a concrete skeleton in Prague and in Europe. As Jaromír Krejcar was a member of the avantgarde group Devětsil, he wished this house could be as most poetic as possible. In other words, it should reflect on a high level, that it is part of a big city. He used light (he wanted to have more, but he was severely restricted by the municipalty) and large window displays for attracting people walking by to look and come in.
In 1958 the house became listed.
History
Ideas to built a new house at this place blowed up in 1923. The plans of the Jaromír Krejcar date back to 1925 and were realized in 1926. The opening of the house in 1927 was a sensation. It was one of the first houses built with a concrete skeleton in Prague and in Europe. As Jaromír Krejcar was a member of the avantgarde group Devětsil, he wished this house could be as most poetic as possible. In other words, it should reflect on a high level, that it is part of a big city. He used light (he wanted to have more, but he was severely restricted by the municipalty) and large window displays for attracting people walking by to look and come in.
In 1958 the house became listed.
Sources
Sources
