richard meier architects complete city green court in prague

‘city green court’ by richard meier architects, prague, czech republicimage © roland halbeall images courtesy of richard meier architects

richard meier architects has completed the third building within the master plan of prague, pankrác, an office building that received the highest platinum LEED certification in the czech republic under the 2009 system. the building creates a volumetric dialogue with it’s context using the language of czech cubism. the architectonic geometry additionally addresses issues of conservation and represents the best iterations of a culturally sensitive, sustainable practice. the avant-gardism of the dynamic and unique brand of eastern european cubism is manifested in the angled planes of the building and their subsequent incorporation into the gridded surfaces of the facade.

gridded and rhythmic, the rectilinear building belies the incredible solar heat gain afforded by a meticulous and high performing curtain wall image © roland halbe

while this third building is smaller in scale than its sibling, city tower, the structure completes the corner of radio plaza superblock with an understated, but impressive presence. organized by a sky-lit atrium, this is an architecture of elegant efficiency and subtle dynamism. the building is pared down to its essence– it’s corners eroded by public arcades, its interiors made vibrant by trees, a green wall and bridges that span the length of the space.

angled fins direct sun orientation and are woven in the formal language of the facadeimage © roland halbe

overall, this structure teems with life and movement both in the brilliant runoff and storm water collection systems to the generous green roof atop a state-of-the-art penthouse mechanical system. the masterplan strives to be the urban template for prague; it is only fitting that its latest building should be an identifiable place of growth and environmentally responsible beauty.

(left): the building skin appropriates the varied geometry of czech avant-garde cubismimage © guillermo murcia (right): interior bridges connect the glazed atrium space and create dynamic paths of circulationimage © roland halbe

interior view of the light-filled courtyardimage © roland halbe

site plan

ground plan

floor plan level 4

north elevation

south elevation

project info

design principals: richard meier, dukho yeonproject architect: guillermo murciacollaborators: robert kim, marianna mello, yoshiki waterhouse, joseph watson

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