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A meeting point between historical architecture and contemporaneity
Since 1959, the Red Church in Olomouc, Czech Republic has been used as a book depository for the Olomouc Research Library. The building, constructed in a neogothic style to house the services of the Lutheran Church, was sitting in a serious state of disrepair and neglect, despite being protected as a property of historical and cultural interest. The atelier-r project gives the city a piece of its history back, creating a new hub for Olomouc’s cultural scene and social life.
The plan undertaken by the Olomouc Region gives new life to the Red Church after approximately 60 years of neglect and closure to the public. The project brief consisted of two agendas. The first was to restore the Lutheran church to create a space to host concerts, shows, and readings. The second was to construct a new volume, capable of housing the library archive formerly located in the liturgical hall, thus becoming an important information center for the Research Library and the Region in general.
The atelier-r project involved both aforementioned fronts, constructing the new building between the church and library offices to connect the two buildings. Following the shape of the lot, marked by the direction of Bezrucova street, the building connects to the red brick façade of the church with a light, crystalline volume that follows the course of the historic building. The irregular, faceted façade features different directions and orientations and is marked by the alternation between glazed surfaces and dark metal panels. The black opaque aluminum roof connects with the similarly finished roof of the church, with soaring spires and pinnacles.
The space surrounding the church and new addition have become a public piazza, where seating invite people to stop, forming a natural extension of the interior spaces.
The restoration of the church involved the consolidation of the foundations, the restoration of the plaster and the stucco, and the renovation of the ceiling beams, all while trying to preserve as much of the original elements as possible.
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The interiors, developed in collaboration with Denisa Strmiskova Studio, are a meeting point between historical architecture and contemporaneity. Inside the church, the architects reintroduced a calm and solemn atmosphere, typical of liturgical environments: the light, clean surfaces with minimal furnishings, save for the bookshelves, are zenithally illuminated by subtle, circular lighting.
The architects have made the presence of books the protagonist of the architecture in the new building: floor-to-ceiling bookshelves welcome the visitor in the lobby and cafeteria. The black metal surfaces are juxtaposed with the smooth, pink concrete of the masonry and floors, which serve as an element of continuity between environments.
In the reception area, elegant and minimalist glass elements hang from the ceiling with nylon ropes, seeming to float in the air. A wide range of chairs and seating offers places to read and rest, contributing to the calm and meditative atmosphere of the space.
The study of lighting fixtures completes the project of interior design in this room, through lights and design pieces incorporated into the architecture, giving a surprising backlit effect.
Location: Olomouc, Czech Republic
Architect: atelier-r
Client: Olomouc Region, Olomouc Research Library
Site area : 1.520 m2
Completion : 2019
General contractor: Company Červený kostel
Consultants
Interior design: Denisa Strmisková Studio
Graphic Design: Studio KOSATKO
Photography by BoysPlayNice, courtesy of atelier-r
