Injection of life into a forgotten space. Vltavská Underground by U / U studio
03/05/2023.
[Prague] Czech Republic
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
The architecture studio U / U studio in collaboration with Re_place has completed a public space recovery project with an open program, with urban sports activities and spaces dedicated to urban art, in the Vltavska underpass to cross the bridge area of Hlavkuv and which had previously become a place that citizens tried to avoid in the city of Prague, Czech Republic.
On the programme, you can find a streetball area, a mirrored dance floor, a pole dance zone, elements for freestyle sports, training zones, a bouldering wall and a public art gallery.
On the programme, you can find a streetball area, a mirrored dance floor, a pole dance zone, elements for freestyle sports, training zones, a bouldering wall and a public art gallery.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Site plan. Vltavská Underground by U / U studio.
Floor plan. Vltavská Underground by U / U studio.
Floor plan. Vltavská Underground by U / U studio.
Axonometry. Vltavská Underground by U / U studio.
Axonometry. Vltavská Underground by U / U studio.
U / U studio and Re_place proposed a deep adaptation and improvement of the surfaces of the underpass. The main materials of the project are steel, concrete or plastic sheet mirrors around the surfaces, to achieve long durability and easy maintenance.
The project is more focused on skateboard, BMX and freestyle scooter riders, for those who need areas covered with artificial light. An underpass is proposed to create a safe shared space for its users, pedestrians and cyclists.
The feeling of security is enhanced with new linear lights throughout the area. The area has a rest space with a chill-out zone with views of the city. The entrance area, which is closer to the public transport hub, is prepared for a pop-up bar and bistro.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Vltavská Underground by U / U studio. Photograph by Jiří Kotal.
Description of project by U / U studio
We proudly invite you to the public space/nightclub on the river. We are injecting life into the Vltavska underpass, which lost its transit purpose between Hlavkuv bridge and became a place that citizens of Prague try to avoid while visiting the transport intersection at Vltavska. We replaced the vacancy and darkness with freestyle activities’ spots in two stages.
On the daily menu, you can find a streetball area, a dance floor with mirrors, pole dance, obstacles for freestyle sports, workouts, a bouldering wall and public art gallery. Design is more focused on skateboard, BMX and freestyle scooter riders, for those in need of covered areas with artificial light. The water element, the linear stream of the Vltava River, became the key aspect of our design. Night spa is not dependent on the season, weather or time of the day. Underpass is proposed to create safe shared space for its users, pedestrians and cyclists.
The whole underground space went through deep cleaning and surface improvement. The main materials of our design are steel and concrete for long durability and easy maintenance. The feeling of safety is enhanced with new linear lights in the whole area. For when you are tired, the club has a chill-out zone with a beautiful city view in front of you. The entrance area, which is closer to the public transport hub, is prepared for a pop-up bar and bistro.
We also have a permanent guest: Ollie the Pig. He has a QR code that allows you to support the underprivileged sector of society, who lost their homes and accommodates in the area, through the transparent account of Prague 7. We are all neighbours. Have fun!
More information
Architects
Project team
U / U studio.- Jiří Kotal, Martin Hrouda, Andrea Nováková, Marek Peřík, Lukáš Kalivoda, Jan Maleček.
Re_place.- Martin Kontra, Richard Preisler.
Re_place.- Martin Kontra, Richard Preisler.
Collaborators
Concept of the site revitalisation.- Re_place.
Skatepark contractor.- Bonidee Skateparks.
Graphic.- Jakub Karlík.
Light design.- Maxo Simko, Jan Poš.
Lights contractor.- TSK.
Ollie the Pig sculpture.- Mikoláš Zika + Jan Bejcha.
Skatepark contractor.- Bonidee Skateparks.
Graphic.- Jakub Karlík.
Light design.- Maxo Simko, Jan Poš.
Lights contractor.- TSK.
Ollie the Pig sculpture.- Mikoláš Zika + Jan Bejcha.
Client
Area
1,810 m².
Dates
Project year.- 2021.
Completion year.- 2022.
Completion year.- 2022.
Location
Hlávkův most, Vltavská, Prague 7. Czech Republic.
Budget
€550,000.
Manufacturers
Smoothened concrete.- TBG.
Steel elements.- Kondor.
Plastic foil mirrors.— Foilwrap.
Stainless steel handle.— Bazenyshop.
Light Peron.— Lumen Elektro.
Light Sovert Captur.— Elstav lighting.
Steel elements.- Kondor.
Plastic foil mirrors.— Foilwrap.
Stainless steel handle.— Bazenyshop.
Light Peron.— Lumen Elektro.
Light Sovert Captur.— Elstav lighting.
Photography
U / U studio.- Jiří Kotal.
Martin Hrouda, Jiří Kotal. U/U studio
U / U studio are a Prague-based architecture studio, made up of architects, landscape designers and engineers, led by Martin Hrouda, Jiří Kotal. His philosophy is to merge freestyle sports with urbanism, in search of the most attractive social environment for riders, as well as for all users. Their proposals bring innovative and professional solutions for each locality individually. Its goal is to design public spaces that support social interaction within the city.
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