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In Pardubice, Czech Republic, an early 20th-century gristmill and national monument is transformed into a vibrant cultural center
On the banks of the Chrudimka River in downtown Pardubice, Czech Republic, stands a national monument. A former industrial site that developed around an early-20th century gristmill, it was recently repurposed as a social and cultural hub.
Its buildings now house various institutions, including the regional Gočár Gallery, the Pardubice Gallery of Contemporary Art (GAMPA), the Sphere schools workshops, and an information point. Prokš Přikryl Architekti designed the renovation and reuse of the silo itself, converting it from an industrial structure to a mixed-use space that includes a large event hall, exhibition galleries, and a rooftop bar.
Built in 1909 to a design by Czech architect Josef Gočár for businessmen and brothers Egon and Karl Winternitz, the mill was renamed Automatické Mlýny in 1940, after the outbreak of World War II. In 1924, the site was expanded with the addition of the grain storage silo.
The gristmill finally shut down in 2013 after a century of continuous flour milling. In 2016, Mariana and Lukáš Smetana, members of the Automatic Mills Foundation, purchased the decommissioned site and were given a bunch of 212 keys. The new owners then embarked on a bold project to transform the former industrial site into a modern urban socio-cultural hub.
Martin Prokš and Marek Přikryl of Prokš Přikryl Architekti were lead architects on the renovation and reuse project, with contributions from leading architects Zdeněk Balík, Jan Šépka, and Petr Všetečka. The various elements of the project intertwine harmoniously, creating an architectural continuity that unites the entire complex.
Today, as in the past, the buildings that make up the Automatic Mills complex are connected by a carpet of brick paving that covers the entire site.
Part of Prokš Přikryl Architekti’s project was to open the area beneath what were once grain chutes. In much the same way as the whole site has been opened to the public over a hundred years since its foundation, the ground-level floor of the silo has been transformed into a large undercover public space. Exhibitions and other events now take place under the old chutes, which have been left exposed to reveal the building’s industrial origins and create an intriguing atmosphere.
The project involved minimal changes inside the silo in the interests of respecting the integrity of the original building. The gristmill originally comprised three basic elements: the grinding mechanism, manufactured by Prokop and Sons; the superstructure, by Pollert builders; and the outer shell, designed by architect Josef Gočár. The concrete of the old silo was left exposed, and all the historical finishes were preserved, including wear and tear, and the scars left by demolished partition walls.
The architects carefully selected the limited number of materials used for the interiors, along with the muted color palette, which is in keeping with the authenticity of the building. Winding its way from the basement to ground level and up to the sixth-floor entrance hall, glass block flooring creates a pathway of light through the building. Designed to house mechanical and electrical equipment, the basement is a subterranean world in itself, essentially a waterproof exposed concrete tank with thick walls.
Moving up the levels, the most significant addition is a new multipurpose space in the former machine room on the fifth floor, which also offers views over the surrounding areas. This space now hosts a variety of events, including conferences, concerts, and theatrical performances. The room has been completely renovated, only retaining its original perimeter walls. New columns have been added that integrate with the existing ones and a new ceiling has been created.
The rooftop terrace, with disabled access, is a place to sit back, relax, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Here, the red bricks of the existing battlements blend with the gray of the exposed concrete of the new bar, harmonizing with the new use of the site.
Location: Pardubice, Czech Republic
Completion: 2023
Built area: 357 sq. m
Gross floor area: 1.848 sq. m
Client: Automatic Mills Foundation
Architect: Prokš Přikryl architekti
Main contractor: STAKO Hradec Králové
Consultants
Civil: Jan Kolář
Fire Protection: Projekty PO
Ventilation: Mikroklima
Plumbing: MK Profi
Electrical: Miroslav Bouček
Acoustics: Soning
Lighting: Ladislav Tikovský [AST]
Geothermal: Gerotop
Heating: Jiří Vik
Structural: STA-CON
Regulation: Tecont
Lift: TRAMONTÁŽ
Graphic Design: Richard Wilde
Photography by Petr Polák, courtesy of Prokš Přikryl architekti
