beyond your map

Nestled in forests near Lipník nad Bečvou, the castle, with roots dating back to the 13th century, now serves as a cultural hub. Internationally acclaimed for its focus on artistic blacksmithing, the castle features exhibitions on archaeology and historical minting. The three-year reconstruction of the Renaissance palace ruins was completed in March 2021, offering new accessible routes and hosting various events such as fencing and performances. The Heritage Institute prioritized authenticity, allowing partial roofing not exceeding perimeter walls. Modern design elements, using glass roofs and weather-resistant steel, complement the historical structure, with pathways on the ground floor made of polished concrete.

The client wanted a headquarters for Lasvit, a company blending glass and light with a rich glassmaking tradition. The proposed restoration plan aims to harmonize the campus, adding two new buildings to the two existing protected ones. The simple rectangular design with a hipped roof creates a unified look. The courtyard becomes a serene garden for both work and relaxation, with a public passage on the opposite side. The Lasvit headquarters preserves the historical significance of the site while embracing contemporary architecture.

The Tomáš Baťa Memorial, an architectural icon, holds significance beyond the Czech Republic. Built in unique historical circumstances during Zlín's rapid modernization, it symbolically concluded the city's urban structure. Despite being known mainly from historical photos due to a 1950s reconstruction, it remains an architectural icon. The memorial reflects the sudden halt and intense emotion following Tomáš Baťa's plane crash, making it both a modern architecture manifesto and an exploration of timeless compositional relationships. In discussions about its restoration, it is considered in the context of global architectural landmarks, deserving respectful preservation and presentation.

The project emerged from an architectural competition aimed at saving a historic slaughterhouse. Acquired by the city in 2016, the dilapidated building now houses the PLATO Gallery, featuring five exhibition halls, a café, and educational facilities. The architects preserved the industrial character of the structure, incorporating contemporary materials while maintaining the charm of the original brickwork and windows. One key innovation is the use of micro-concrete for the reconstruction of the collapsed section. The main concept revolves around maintaining the functionality of openings, allowing them to rotate and open exhibition spaces directly to the outside. This mobility offers artists and curators new display options, bringing art into the surrounding space. The project aims to democratize culture, making it more accessible to a broader audience.

In the summer of 1966, Aldo Van Eyck designed a temporary pavilion erected in Sonsbeek park in Arnhem to exhibit sculptures from around thirty artists, including Brancusi, Arp, and Giacometti. Though destroyed shortly after, it was reconstructed in 2006 within the Kröller-Müller museum's garden in Hoenderloo, Netherlands. The unremarkable structure is a meticulous demonstration of architectural planning: six nearly 4-meter high walls are arranged in parallel, spaced 2.5 meters apart. The curvature of the walls creating semi-circular areas and abrupt incisions elevate this simple layout into a sophisticated spatial arrangement.