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Located along the Vltava River, within walking distance of prominent cultural facilities, the site is significant as it is one of the only three in the historic district of central Prague on which new construction has been permitted.
Inhereting from the consistant abstract style appearing in Frank Gehry's other worksites, the Nationale-Nederlanden Building blends in with the adjacent buildings with the adoption of an unusual shape. The twin tower schemed design creates a strong visual focal point within this smooth transition that has been led across the street. More importantly, it has established a sculptural dialogue appropriate to the context for the immediate urban environment.
On ground level, there is a cafe and several retail spaces that are directly accessible from the river front and from the public square. Additional retail spaces occupy a lower level located below grade. Throughout the second to seventh level, several unique office spaces and conference rooms are occupied. Whereas a restaurant is located at the top level, taking full advantage of the spetacular view of the Prague skyline.
The twin towers (one developed as cylindrical solid volume, the other as a tapering glass tower), supported by a number of sculptural columns, are combined to create a small covered entrance plaza at the ground level of the building. Comprising of a double-layer steel-supported glass curtain wall, the interior of the glass tower has engaged this curtain wall to be the actual wall for the building, whereas the sculptural outer layer acts as a screen for the office spaces underneath.
The main exterior facade overlooks the river bank. It responds to the rich texture and scale of the adjacent row houses. Imitating the wave of the river, its staggered windows and horizontal striations obtains a streamlined pattern. It is constructed of precast concrete panels with a plaster finish which is common to the local architecture.
Inhereting from the consistant abstract style appearing in Frank Gehry's other worksites, the Nationale-Nederlanden Building blends in with the adjacent buildings with the adoption of an unusual shape. The twin tower schemed design creates a strong visual focal point within this smooth transition that has been led across the street. More importantly, it has established a sculptural dialogue appropriate to the context for the immediate urban environment.
On ground level, there is a cafe and several retail spaces that are directly accessible from the river front and from the public square. Additional retail spaces occupy a lower level located below grade. Throughout the second to seventh level, several unique office spaces and conference rooms are occupied. Whereas a restaurant is located at the top level, taking full advantage of the spetacular view of the Prague skyline.
The twin towers (one developed as cylindrical solid volume, the other as a tapering glass tower), supported by a number of sculptural columns, are combined to create a small covered entrance plaza at the ground level of the building. Comprising of a double-layer steel-supported glass curtain wall, the interior of the glass tower has engaged this curtain wall to be the actual wall for the building, whereas the sculptural outer layer acts as a screen for the office spaces underneath.
The main exterior facade overlooks the river bank. It responds to the rich texture and scale of the adjacent row houses. Imitating the wave of the river, its staggered windows and horizontal striations obtains a streamlined pattern. It is constructed of precast concrete panels with a plaster finish which is common to the local architecture.
Referencing
Book: Frank Gehry - ElCroquis Editorial (Madrid: Fernando Marquez Cecilia y Richard Levene arquitectos), 2003, p.88
Extraordinary building!! Makes impressions on the paper and in real. I wonder if you have a sketch of this building in better quality and if you could send me if possible?
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