Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. 200th anniversary of Gregor Mendel’s birth
02/06/2023.
[Brno] Czech Republic
metalocus, ADELA BONAS
metalocus, ADELA BONAS
The new Mendel greenhouse designed by based Brno architectural studio Chybik + Kristof just completed in its historic Czech Republic home city, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the genetics biologist’s birth.
The building is an homage to the influential late-19th-century Gregor Mendel, following the original floor plan and orientation of the greenhouse that served as a laboratory for Mendel until it was destroyed in the 1870s. The new glass and steel structure takes its shape from the namesake drawings of the human hereditary system produced at St. Augustin Abbey, to which the then 22-year-old first went to reside in 1844.
It will house a permanent exhibition of Mendel’s legacy and will host conferences, lectures, banquets, exhibitions, and concerts. Above all, however, peas will be grown there “like in the old days”, however in a most modern way, in aeroponic flower pots. The pea that, through the abbot and brilliant scientist GJ Mendel, stood at the birth of genetics.
The building is an homage to the influential late-19th-century Gregor Mendel, following the original floor plan and orientation of the greenhouse that served as a laboratory for Mendel until it was destroyed in the 1870s. The new glass and steel structure takes its shape from the namesake drawings of the human hereditary system produced at St. Augustin Abbey, to which the then 22-year-old first went to reside in 1844.
It will house a permanent exhibition of Mendel’s legacy and will host conferences, lectures, banquets, exhibitions, and concerts. Above all, however, peas will be grown there “like in the old days”, however in a most modern way, in aeroponic flower pots. The pea that, through the abbot and brilliant scientist GJ Mendel, stood at the birth of genetics.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Historical image of the 19th century.
Location plan. Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof.
Site plan. Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof.
Ground floor plan. Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof.
Programs. Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof.
Sections. Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof.
Radiation, heating and ventilation. Mendel Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof.
Structure design from Mendel diagrams. Mendel Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof.
Structure design from Mendel diagrams. Mendel Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof.
Structure design from Mendel diagrams. Mendel Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof.
Outside rendering. Mendel Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof.
Inside rendering. Mendel Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof.
New and former greenhouse. Mendel Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof.
Chybik + Kristof (CHK) designed the building in St. Augustin Abbey, which dates back to the 14th century and is located in Stare Brno the historic area of Brno. The place was known throughout history as a significant intellectual center in Moravia with remarkable achievements in both the arts and science.
The architects pay homage to scientist and abbot Gregor Mendel's work in genetics remembering the greenhouse with a novel glass and steel structure deeply rooted in the principles of Gregor Mendel’s legacy in modern genetics, emulating his drawings of the hereditary system.
Drawing inspiration from the archival materials and original scheme of the building, CHK’s design sustains the heritage value of the structure replicating its essence, simultaneously adapting it into a contemporary narrative. A key aesthetic, symbolic but also functional novelty is the reimagined supporting steel roof structure, drawing inspiration from Mendel’s three laws of inheritance. The nodes and branches constituting the steel supportive framing are in direct dialogue with his laws, in particular, that of hereditary segregation.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
The construction is simple, cost-efficient, and with recyclable materials such as steel to the installment of low-carbon cooling and heating systems by the concealed structure of heat pumps.
"Although Mendel was stigmatized for his origin and faith by the political regimes of the past, our transformation immortalizes and celebrates the abbot’s substantial achievements to society as a reconciliation with the past ultimately cultivating a sense of belonging. The greenhouse revives the area as a beacon of unlikely harmonious bonds working in service of its community."
Ondrej Chybik, co-founder of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Mendel's Greenhouse by Chybik + Kristof. Photography by Laurian Ghinițoiu. Courtesy of Chybik + Kristof.
Project description by Chybik + Kristof
Nested in the 14th-century Augustinian monastery’s gardens, the original building was swept away by a storm in the 1870s, leaving to this day only its foundations. Integrated in the structure and left visible, the preserved foundations are at the basis of the designs’ reinterpretation – echoing the orientation, shape, and distinct roof of the greenhouse. While the volume is inspired by the original edifice, the reimagined supporting steel structure seeks inspiration from Mendel’s three laws of inheritance – and the drawings of his resulting heredity system.
The flexible design, conceived to adapt to a variety of purposes, is entirely exposed to the exterior with fully open side walls, preventing any visual barriers. With the aim of attracting local and international visitors as well as a professional public essential to preserving the monastery’s legacy, the revived structure acts as a versatile space celebrating Mendel’s work and contributions to modern genetics. The vast, adaptable volume allows for a diversity of events from conferences and lectures to temporary exhibitions, while the integrated blinds enable the space to be darkened for projections and concerts.
More information
Architects
Project team
Ondřej Chybík, Michal Krištof, Ondřej Švancara, Kryštof Foltýn, Ingrid Spáčilová, Laura Emilija Druktenytė.
Collaborators
Babka+Suchma.
Renderings.- monolot.
Renderings.- monolot.
Area
160 m².
Dates
2020-2022.
Location
St. Augustin Abbey. Mendlovo nám. 1a. 603 00 Brno,Czech Republic
Abadía de San Agustín. Mendlovo nám. 1a. 603 00 Brno, República Checa.
Budget
€ 1,100,000.
Photography
Ondřej Chybík, Michal Krištof. Chybik + Kristof
Chybik + Kristof is an architecture and urban design practice founded in 2010 by Ondřej Chybík and Michal Krištof. Operating with 50+ international team members and offices in Prague, Brno, and Bratislava, the practice aims at creating bridges between private and public space, transcending generations and societal spheres.
Taking into account local histories and environmental specificities, the studio works on a wide array of projects, ranging from urban developments to public and residential buildings. Recent projects include the Gallery of Furniture (Czech Republic), the Czech Pavilion at Expo 2015 (Milan, Italy), and Lahofer Winery (Czech Republic). The studio has been awarded a number of prizes including the 2019 Design Vanguard Award from Architectural Record and was recently amongst the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies 2019 40 Under 40 Award winners.
Taking into account local histories and environmental specificities, the studio works on a wide array of projects, ranging from urban developments to public and residential buildings. Recent projects include the Gallery of Furniture (Czech Republic), the Czech Pavilion at Expo 2015 (Milan, Italy), and Lahofer Winery (Czech Republic). The studio has been awarded a number of prizes including the 2019 Design Vanguard Award from Architectural Record and was recently amongst the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies 2019 40 Under 40 Award winners.
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