Extensions and Reconstruction of the New Provostry | Studio acht

The New Provostry is a historical building from 1877, built in the neo-Gothic style, adjacent to St. Vitus Cathedral in the heart of Prague Castle. Originally intended as the residence of the provost, the building was confiscated in the early 1950s and has largely remained abandoned since then. During the communist era, the courtyard and associated outbuildings were completely destroyed, and the main building was used as barracks for construction workers. In 2016, the New Provostry was returned to the Church under the restitution law.

The reconstruction concept focuses on reopening the inner courtyard to the public. It offers a unique view over the lower Deer Moat, as no other courtyard on the north castle wall is publicly accessible.

Two new extensions have been built in the courtyard on the sites of former outbuildings. One will serve as a café, while the other is a versatile commercial unit. Additionally, another commercial unit is located inside the reconstructed building.

The extensions feature a strict yet delicate design characterized by glass façade openings. The west extension is designed to be more open and vertical, intended for gastronomic services. The east extension is more compact and closed, suitable for universal use from retail to office space. Despite their similarities in design and openings, each extension maintains its unique identity.

The north edge of the courtyard has been enhanced with an overlook and a fountain crafted from granite and bronze.

The courtyard is also designed to host outdoor events such as theatrical performances or corporate gatherings.

The reconstruction of the main building was carried out as a restoration with minor modifications to enhance openness and remove remnants of the barracks.

Reconstruction

Primarily, the architectural goal was the preservation of the historic building and the restoration of both its interiors and exteriors. The façade was meticulously restored to evoke its appearance at the end of the 19th century. The interiors were partially restored to their historical state while also being renovated to meet modern standards, resulting in a harmonious blend of contemporary and original features. This blend is exemplified notably in the main staircase, which is complemented by a delicate hollow circle lamp that harmonizes with the strict geometry of the painted wooden ceiling.

The building has now resumed its original purpose as the administrative hub of church institutions, notably the Metropolitan Chapter of St. Vitus.

The renovation concept is characterized by the use of durable and timeless materials and a symbiosis of original and contemporary color schemes. Faux grained surfaces were meticulously restored on historic doors and windows, tiles were laid in corresponding formats and patterns, and wooden and parquet floors were either refurbished or reconstructed. New constructions, such as glass partitions, were designed with a contemporary and modest material quality, ensuring a timeless solution.

Extensions

In the historical footprint of the original outbuildings (stables and coach house), new courtyard extensions have been constructed with an intended commercial use aimed at tourists visiting Prague Castle. On the west side of the courtyard, extending into the northern basement, a small café is expected to operate, while a general business unit is located on the east side.

The shape and appearance of the extensions are designed to harmonize with the historical surroundings of Prague Castle while subtly standing out. This balance is achieved by employing timeless forms and materials typical of the castle area, with contemporary details and compositions. One significant detail is the narrow skylight that connects the roof to the north façade of the extensions, creating interplay of light and shadow in the interiors. Another notable feature is the design of the free corner of the west extension, where the glass extends almost to the edge of the corner, emphasizing the delicate support of the massive roof.

Key materials used in the new buildings include sandstone cladding from the Vyhnánov quarry, details crafted from patinated copper, discreet tiled and wooden floors, and a glass facade with subtle steel frames.

Outlook and Fountain

The idea of installing an outlook that hangs over the edge of the walls originally came from the architect of the reconstructed building, Josef Mocker, although it was never realized. The courtyard renovation design elaborates on this concept and presents a contemporary solution. The fountain consists of a stone obelisk and a basin with a bronze edge. The concept involves water flowing from a cross, washing over the names of three saints and soaking into the ground. The poem engraved in stone on the outlook was authored by one of the historical provosts who officiated in the old building.

[CZ]

Návrh rekonstrukce a dostavby dvorních křídel Nového proboštství vychází z konceptu otevření dvora veřejnosti. Vzniká tak nový prostor, doposud nepřístupný, který umožňuje návštěvníkům příjemně posedět v malebném zákoutí s výhledem na Jelení příkop a Míčovnu v Královské zahradě.

Žádný jiný dvůr na severní parkánové hradbě Hradu není veřejně přístupný.Ve dvoře vznikly dvě přístavby v místech původních hospodářských stavení. V jedné se předpokládá využití
pro administrativu, v druhé se plánuje prosklená kavárna. 

Oprava stávajícího domu Nového proboštství probíhala z většiny v restaurátorském režimu,
s drobnými úpravami dispozic, která zajistila větší vzdušnost a otevřenost budovy a odstranila pozůstatky kasáren.

Rekonstrukce

Architektonickým záměrem byla v první řadě památková obnova historické budovy zčásti řešená jako rehabilitace jejích interiérů i exteriérů s evokací podoby z doby vzniku historického objektu v závěru 19. století. Budově se nyní navrátilo původní určení, administrativní provoz církevních institucí, zejména Metropolitní kapituly u sv. Víta.

Koncept obnovy je charakterizován volbou trvanlivých a nadčasových materiálů v symbióze původní a moderní barevnosti. Na historických dveřích a oknech byly obnoveny fládrované povrchy, dlažby byly doplněny v odpovídajících formátech a vzorech, dřevěné a parketové podlahy byly repasovány, resp. rekonstruovány. Nové konstrukce jako jsou například skleněné příčky, byly navrženy soudobě, ve střídmém, materiálově kvalitním a nadčasovém řešení.

Přístavby

V historické stopě původních hospodářských stavení byly zbudovány nové dvorní přístavby
s předpokládaným komerčním využitím vázaným na turistickou návštěvu areálu hradu. V přístavbě na západní straně dvora (s rozšířením do severního suterénu) je předpokládán provoz drobného gastra – kavárny, na východě dvora je univerzální obchodní jednotka.

V nových objektech jsou určujícími materiály kamenné obklady z vyhnánovského pískovce, decentní dlážděné a dřevěné podlahy a prosklená fasáda se subtilními ocelovými rámy.

Lead Architects: Václav Hlaváček, Mikuláš Wittlich, Pavel Jakoubek

Structural engineering: Jan Zima

General contractor: ARCHATT

Photography: Tomáš Slavík (https://www.tomasslavik.cz/)