ZAHRÁDKY CASTLE COMPETITION

Project idea

Project Concept and Background:

The ground floor of the castle will house an exhibition space and a restaurant. The upper floors will accommodate a large conference hall with a capacity of 100 people, two smaller conference rooms, each with a capacity of 50 people, and additional meeting rooms. In addition, up to 120 double rooms and several apartment units will be provided, with accommodation quality equivalent to that of a three-star hotel. The orangery will be transformed into a venue for indoor concerts or community meetings, with a capacity for up to 50 people. The building’s original function will be preserved, continuing to serve as a space for technical staff/administrators who manage the castle's areas and facilities (including accommodation and rest areas). The farmhouse will feature a municipal information center, a small exhibition about the village's history, and a café. The overall appearance and atmosphere of the park must be maintained, with all roads, sidewalks, green spaces, and artistic elements (sculptures, gems, fountains) remaining unchanged. New pedestrian pathways may be introduced.

Project Idea:

For the castle, the ground floor will feature an exhibition space and a restaurant, while the upper floors will include a large conference hall with a capacity of 100 people, two smaller conference rooms, each holding 50 people, and additional meeting rooms. The remaining space will be used for up to 120 double rooms and several apartment units.

To optimize circulation, the castle will be divided into two independent routes: one for guests and one for staff, ensuring that the two do not interfere with each other. The staff areas will be concentrated on the northern side of the castle, with a dedicated traffic flow to maintain separation from the guest areas. The ground floor will be organized into active and quiet zones. The southwest side will be designated as the restaurant area, connected to the kitchen on the northwest side. The southeast side will feature the exhibition space, directly connected to the office area on the northeast side. The basement will be repurposed as storage and utility rooms.

On the second floor, the southern portion will house the conference hall and meeting rooms, while the remaining area will be used for guest rooms. Due to severe fire damage in the northwest corner, where the floorboards of the second and third floors were destroyed, I have decided not to restore these floors. Instead, this area will be converted into a large stairwell, providing access between the second and third floors. The third floor and attic will be exclusively dedicated to guest rooms.

For the orangery, to provide a comfortable concert hall space with the necessary proportions, we plan to excavate part of the original ground to create a larger and more comfortable environment. A skylight will be introduced in the upper plaza to allow natural light into the underground space.

For the Custodian House renovation, the main consideration is the lighting of the ground floor. We will open up part of the floor between the first and second floors to allow more light to enter the ground floor. Additionally, we will enhance the functionality of this space, making it more modern and convenient.

For the farmhouse renovation, a zoning approach will be adopted to create distinct active and passive spaces. Quiet exhibition spaces will be placed in historical areas, while spaces with higher foot traffic will be combined for active use. The southern part of the building will be designated for exhibition spaces, while the northern part will be used for a café and municipal offices. The café will be located in the original stable, which has poor natural lighting. To address this, we will open up the floors between the first and second levels to increase the flow of light. Some of the ancient elements from the stable, such as the stone troughs, will be preserved and repurposed as exhibition cabinets or storage for coffee beans. The original fencing will be reworked into new railings for the stairways and upper floors.

Project description

Project Solution Scope

The goal of this project is to transform the castle into a multifunctional space that caters to various needs, including exhibitions, conferences, accommodation, and public services. By carefully planning the interior spaces and zoning the functions, the project aims to enhance the space’s modernity and practicality while preserving its historical features. The scope of the proposed solution includes the following:

Building Function Zoning and Layout:

The ground floor will house exhibition spaces and a restaurant, ensuring smooth interaction between different functional areas with clear circulation routes.
The upper floors will accommodate a large conference hall with a capacity of 100 people, two smaller conference rooms with 50 people each, and additional meeting rooms to cater to different conference sizes.
In addition to the conference spaces, the upper floors will also provide up to 120 double rooms and several apartment units, offering accommodation at a three-star hotel standard.
The orangery will be transformed into a venue for indoor concerts or community meetings, with a capacity of up to 50 people, providing a flexible activity space.
The farmhouse will house a municipal information center, a small exhibition about the village’s history, and a café to serve both local residents and visitors.
Building Circulation and Zoning of Active and Quiet Areas:

To ensure that guest and staff activities do not interfere with each other, the castle will be divided into two independent routes: one for guests and one for staff.
The staff areas will be located on the northern side of the castle, with a dedicated circulation route that ensures full separation from the guest areas.
The ground floor will be divided into active areas (restaurant, exhibition space) and quiet areas (offices, rest areas), facilitating smooth connection between different functions without disruption.
Space Renovation and Modernization:

The orangery will be excavated to create a larger and more comfortable space that meets the requirements of a concert hall, with a skylight introduced in the upper plaza to bring natural light into the underground space.
The Custodian House will address lighting issues on the ground floor by opening up part of the floor between the first and second floors, allowing more natural light to enter and enhancing the space's modern functionality.
The farmhouse will follow a zoning approach for dividing active and quiet areas. Quiet exhibition spaces will be placed in historical zones, while areas with higher foot traffic will be used for a café and municipal offices.
The café will be located in the original stable area of the farmhouse, and to improve lighting, the floors between the first and second levels will be opened up. Some of the historic elements of the stable, such as stone troughs, will be preserved and repurposed as exhibition cabinets or storage for coffee beans.
The original fencing will be redesigned as new railings for the stairways and upper floors, incorporating modern design elements.
Park and Landscape Preservation:

The overall appearance and atmosphere of the park will be maintained, with all roads, green spaces, sculptures, fountains, and other artistic elements remaining unchanged.
New pedestrian pathways may be introduced to improve the flow of visitors and increase the transparency of the space, without altering the park’s overall aesthetic.
Integration of Architecture and Heritage:

The project will fully respect the historical background and cultural heritage of the castle. The renovation will focus on preservation while enhancing its functional use, ensuring a harmonious blend of old and new elements.
The solution outlined in this project focuses on the integration of multifunctional spaces, optimization of circulation, and modernization of the building, ensuring that while providing comfortable accommodation and conference spaces, the unique value of the historical heritage is preserved.

Technical information

Czech Castle Renovation Project Technical Specifications

I. Baseline Data
1. Geotechnical & Hydrological:
Groundwater level: Estimated at -7m below grade.
Soil bearing capacity at -5.4m: Assumed 150kPa (clay/sandy clay stratum, micropile design applicable).
2. Existing Structural Parameters (Presumptive):
Masonry compressive strength: 5MPa (typical 19th-century brickwork, non-destructive testing verification required).
Load-bearing walls shall not be demolished.

II. Regulatory Compliance
1. Heritage Conservation Requirements (Presumptive):
Facade remains unaltered: Restoration under historic preservation guidelines.
Fire safety exemption: Permitted reduction of music hall egress width to 1m (mandatory independent smoke control system required).
2. Municipal Infrastructure Assumptions:
Underground emergency exits: Must provide direct access to surface or adjacent buildings.
Café wastewater pipeline: Independent connection to municipal sewer network.

III. Design Development
1. Steel Grid Corrosion Protection: Hot-dip galvanizing.

2. Construction Constraints (Hypothetical):
Access limitations: Compact equipment only (e.g., spider excavators); heavy machinery prohibited.
Noise control schedule:
Workdays: 7:00-18:00
Weekends: No construction allowed.

IV. Stakeholder Requirements
1. Client Priority Framework:
Cafécompliance: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) standards implementation.
Budget Allocation: Structural Reinforcement (50%) | Equipment Procurement (30%) | Soft Furnishings (20%)

2. Operational Compatibility Strategy:
Pre-installed dual-circuit power supply + fiber optic interfaces (future digital exhibition provisions).
Music hall ticketing system: Standalone operation (to reduce legacy castle server load).

V. Risk Management
Monitoring & Acceptance Protocols:
Settlement monitoring agency: Must hold Czech State Norms (ČSN) certification.
3D laser scanning frequency:
Mandatory pre/post critical phases (excavation/steel structure installation).

Documentation

Show PDF 1