Art & Architecture

Art

PALLADIUM is not just a shopping center. Due to the history and the distinctive character of the site it is a remarkable landmark in the heart of Prague.

The architectural concept was aimed at sensitively blending a historic building with new elements to form a unique combination which makes a special experience out of shopping.

Taking its cue from the rich musical and historical heritage of the site, the theme is one of Czech art and history. Visitors can, on the one hand, admire the archeological foundations which have been sensitively incorporated into the modern mall architecture, and on the other hand experience masterpieces of Czech contemporary art displayed in common areas.

Creative design

The architectural concept for the exterior aimed at sensitively blending an historic building (a 19th century barracks) with new elements. The project revitalized a previously neglected 13,500 sqm site in the heart of old Prague. Thanks to PALLADIUM, the center of Prague has new look.

The creative design features extend to the shop fronts, flooring, handrails, escalators, columns and ceilings. The mall is naturally lit. Part of the interiors form three major archeological foundings. Its use also find stone troughs from the former riding hall as a part of fountain sculpture in the office building court yard.

Works of Czech artists

Glass columns by Václav Cígler

Between 1983 and 1985 Václav Cígler, one of the most important contemporary glass artists, created some unique glass columns and slabs for the Prague metro's Náměstí Republiky station. For many years afterwards, travellers on Metro line B were able to see the effects created when the beams of light were broken by the laminated, polished glass pillars.

In the 1990s, the metro hall became a commercial area and the glass columns were moved to the edge of the hall, where there was no light thus losing the ambiance created by these obelisks. They were damaged by graffiti and other vandalism, and faced complete destruction.

From autumn 2007, the glass columns became part of the entrance hall at the Na Poříčí entrance of PALLADIUM's office space.

Wooden roof of
riding stable by K. Pichal

The riding stable was designed by K. Pichal and built from 1857 to 1861. The most interesting feature of this building is its wooden roof, which is designed without tie-beams. This style is known as an Orme vault. The main load-bearing construction of the riding stables is formed by thirteen vaults.

Due to moisture, leaks and presence of dry rot and wood-destroying fungi resulted in the laps of the roof's surface cohesion and expert restoration was essential. So the entire roof was dismantled and underwent complex conservation treatment, and later mantled back to its original place.

Fountain sculpture by Pavel Roučka

Pavel Roučka is a notable contemporary Czech artist who has created a work entitled The Riding Court. It was mounted in the entrance hall at the side of the riding school building on Na Poříčí street, and part of it was the renovated original wall that ran along the boundary of the land with the buildings that belong to the neighbouring Church of St. Joseph, and the fountain sculpture.

Roučka found his inspiration in the history of the building. He was fascinated by the structure of the old 17th-century stones, and the 19th-century horse troughs, and decided to incorporate these two elements into his work. The stone wall will gain a bas-relief featuring stylised horses' heads, while the fountain sculpture will consist of 7 marble troughs from which water will cascade out.

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