The orchestra requested that the design include a new souvenir shop, a listening room and a display area about the building’s history. The design team began working on the original historic building, aiming to design the new use in a compact and modern way, and to integrate it into the existing space. To do this, the design team used materials already in the building, including semi-polished brass with a mirror-like effect, a simple shape derived from the layout of the space and echoing the marble floor.
▼ Preview
The project consists of three parts – two side lounges, including the Rudolfinum shop and a listening lounge dedicated to the Chief Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek, and an exhibition installation in the main foyer.
▼ Component Scheme
▼ Panel Scheme
The exhibition is conceived as two free-standing vertical objects with brass surface that reflect their surroundings and thus create a new spatial experience. Their longer sides have a reflective glass panel where texts and images appear in layers as if coming from inside. The dimmable back LED-lighting supports the effect and emphasizes the exhibition during night hours and events. The foyer is complemented by a set of wooden bench with a brass plinth.
▼ The Vertical Panels
▼ The Brass Surface
▼ The Back LED-Llighting Emphasizes The Exhibition
▼ The Wooden Bench With A Brass Plinth
▼ Details
▼ Shop Scheme
The souvenir shop in the lounge at the right edge of the foyer is centred by an octagonal display table with brass surface that reflects the floor pattern. In the surrounding niches there are wooden display walls with storage units that offer variable set-ups as well as the table. The dark wooden veneer creates a unifying background for the diverse products.
▼ The Souvenir Shop Is Centred By An Octagonal Display Table
▼ The Brass Surface Reflects The Floor Pattern
▼ Details Of The Display Table
▼ The Wooden Display Walls In Niches
A similar radial solution is used in the listening lounge at the opposite end of the foyer. Visitors are invited to sit down and discover the audio library of the philharmonics via a set of a tablet and headphones integrated in three velvet sofas in wall niches. The fourth niche has a wooden bench with a bookshelf and two adjustable lamps. The material selection and shaping of all the custom-made furniture was carefully conceived in order to make it fit in and not disturb the historical space.
▼ The Listening Lounge
▼ The Velvet Sofa
▼ Listening Equipment
▼ The Fourth Niche
▼ Seat Detail
▼ Plan
▼ Concept Scheme
