Old Town Hall Design - HORTUS DOMUS

Project idea

Our project was inspired by an insect called The Praying Mantis. It might not bear its resemblance at first sight but we believe it is quite evident after closer inspection. The angular geometry and diagonal lines signify the stance of a crouched mantis ready to purge at its prey, while the open area shows the mantis's raptorial legs. The main goal was to fill in the gap that the old city town hall has left, for that reason we aimed at a design that could effortlessly fit in with its surroundings while hiding at plain sight.

Project description

The project is meant to be implemented as a modern building situated into a beautiful, historical city called Prague in Staroměstské náměstí. The first floor consists of a caffe, information center and a small library. Second and third floor will mostly be used as a working space, meaning administrative, legislative and executive offices will be based there. The main highlight is the large public roof, which acts as a park in the sky and allows for a breathtaking view of the city as a whole. We also included an open, airy staircase on the outside to help civilians easily move from the street up to the roof garden. The structure is meant to be a useful, green, and welcoming spot, while still claiming it's spot as a dominant of the square.

Technical information

Materials: The structure utilizes textured architectural concrete and local Bohemian sandstone tones, mimicking the earthy textures of the historical facades, alongside with large glass panels allowing natural sunlight to enter the building.

Structural Innovation: The building utilizes a reinforced concrete column-and-beam system that allows for column-free interior layouts and open public zones. The interior is flexible and could be altered later down the line if needed.

Vegetation: A core technical feature is the intensive green roof system, that we decided to name the building after, nevertheless ''HORTUS DOMUS'' translates to ''GRADEN HOUSE'' in Latin. It acts as a natural eco-friendly layer for rainwater collection, reduces the urban heat in the historic center, and enhances local biodiversity.