The Palace of the Bank of the Czechoslovak Legions, built in 1921-23 according to the project of J. Gočár, is a basic work of the architectural style called rondocubism or also national style. It was a modified cubism, whose main feature was a colourful colour scheme inspired by the human ornamentation of historical styles and a compositional method of rounded geometric shapes.
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Location
- Prague 1
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Project works
- 2023
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Cooperation on projects
- Marek Tichý
- Magdalena Kurfürstová
The design adapts the space used by ČSOB to the needs of 21st century banking, while rehabilitating the rondo-cubist space of the hall. The entire space is specifically defined by a decorative, rondo-cubist interior with rich polychromy. It is an exceptional whole of its kind, which, moreover, has served its original purpose since its creation. Therefore, the basic concept and strategy of the new interior elements is to accentuate the historical and visually suppress the modern layer of architecture. The principle can be simplistically described as “decoration inside out”. While in other, contemporary bank or office buildings it is usual to complement the spare architecture with artwork and decoration, here the situation is exactly reversed. The picture is the historical architecture of the hall itself, the visitor moves freely within it and is thus able to admire and experience it for the duration of their visit. The new elements are designed in light cream shades that are inspired by the wall paintings in the second plan of the banking hall, the upholstery is equally light, the complementary materials are glass and light wood. The lighting is chosen in the same discreet way, here it is more about the actual light than the light sources, creating an atmosphere that will be pleasant for visitors, providing sufficient light comfort for the people working in the lobby.
The design of materials and colours is based on the original design of the hall. The basic colour is cream, based on the historic light marble and the aforementioned second plan walls. The acoustic lining of the walls, the acoustic partitions between workstations, the upholstery of the seating and the worktops of the office desks are designed in this colour. In the shade of red marble are designed the worktops of workplaces intended for dealing with clients – reception and cash desks. The interiors of the built-in areas – meeting rooms and cash desks are clad in wood in a medium shade based on the material used on the historic doors and wooden elements. All the elements are modest and subtle, which is emphasised by the application of glass.
