jiri prihoda projects desertous ‘mars vista’ from mirrored, spiraling shell in prague

jiri prihoda presents ‘mars’ vista,’ a continuation of its 2017 prototype ‘mPOD’ in prague. the plywood mPOD dwelling has now been transformed into a massive, rotating sculptural object measuring twelve meters in diameter and more than seven meters in height. the work is characterized by a spiraling, occupiable tube which terminates with an LED video screen projecting imagery of the mars landscape by nasa. once made publicly available, live, real-time footage will be streamed on the large LED screen of mars’ vista.

jiri prihoda’s mars’ vista in prague is not designed to imitate a dwelling for mars inhabitation. it is, rather, an attempt to place within the ordinary public spaces an unusual visual element of the martian desert enclosed within a mirroring, chemically polished, stainless steel, spiraling shell. the team seeks to introduce a dichotomy between the reflective, futuristic object with the visual narrative of mars’ desert emptiness. the work rotates in the opposite direction of the camera movement within the mars’ 360° panoramic picture, creating an illusionistic effect.

when the visitor steps into the rotating trajectory of jiri prihoda’s mars’ vista, the rotation halts, inviting a safe entry. the designer describes this moment as ‘a corporate art object becoming architecture.’ after a spiraling upwards trajectory of nearly 360° within the stark industrial interior, the occupant reaches the trapezoid-shaped window which looks out toward the same rotating 360° projected view of the martian desert. in front of the projection there is a simply designed seating area for up to twenty people suspended from above.

project info:

project title: mars’ vista

design: jiří příhoda | PRIHODADESIGN

architecture: CMC architects

location: office centre rustonka, prague 8, czech republic

client: J&T bank real estate

3D modelling: martin hurych

construction and rotation: václav hatlman, VHSC

LED video-panel technology: františek michálek, TRICO screens

stainless shell and electricity: ovladacedobrovolny