Gotthardská Residence: more light and privacy in the centre of Prague

In the centre of Prague, close to Stromovka Park, stands a building called Rezidenca Gotthardská. Once an office building, it has now been transformed into a modern residential building thanks to the outstanding work of Nedvěd Architekti. In this project, the architects faced the challenge of creating a modern living environment on the existing foundations, allowing the inhabitants to individually adapt their living conditions. They wanted to preserve the classical architectural elements while incorporating modern solutions that would improve the building’s functionality, aesthetics and harmony with the surrounding architecture.

 

The challenge for architects: how to create a modern living environment on the existing foundations, allowing residents to individually adapt their living conditions.

Modern living and interactive solutions

Today’s building occupants want more than aesthetically pleasing living spaces – they also want to have full control over their living comfort. This means that architects need to develop interactive solutions that allow light, warmth and privacy to be tailored to individual needs. In the case of the Gotthardská Residence, the special horseshoe shape of the building made it particularly important to ensure sufficient lighting of the interior spaces and at the same time to ensure privacy.

Dynamic façade: cooperation with Soltec

The architects found a solution in collaboration with Soltec, which created and implemented an innovative dynamic façade. This façade, made up of motorised folding panels, responds to the challenges of modern living. The panels allow light and heat to pass through, while ensuring privacy, as their special grid prevents unwanted views.

Soltec developed and implemented innovative solutions within the Gotthardská project, which contributed to the successful transformation of the building. Our contribution included the following key elements:

• Soltec motorised linear motor hinged panels: linear motors integrated in the panel allow quiet and comfortable opening and closing of the panels from 0 to 180 degrees. Panels made of extruded aluminium, stainless steel fittings and electro-electronic components.
• Powder-coated slats with wood look: the use of wood decor on the slats of the panel creates a warm and elegant look that blends harmoniously into the architectural design of the building.
• Synchronisation of motor operation: an advanced control system ensures synchronised operation of all motors, even in the case of bi- and tropical systems, allowing smooth and aesthetically refined movement of the panels. Linear actuators increase the stability of the panels in the wind and allow individual control of each pair of panels.
• Connection to the home automation system: the panels can be controlled remotely via the home automation system, ensuring maximum comfort for the occupants.

The panels allow light and heat transmission to be controlled, while ensuring privacy as their special grid prevents unwanted views.

Comprehensive support for architects

Soltec offered architects comprehensive support throughout the entire process: from consultancy and collaborative design, to innovative solutions, engineering support, fabrication, installation and service. Each panel was precisely designed according to the specific needs of the building, which required individual design documentation individual design documentation for each panel system individually (2-6 panels) and prototyping. The end result is panels that go beyond standard solutions in terms of stability and flexibility, contributing to the energy efficiency of the building.

We carried out the complete product design documentation, prototyped and manufactured 52 systems for the client, providing installation and operating instructions. The panels themselves have a number of advantages, as they do not require a lot of space to be installed at the top and bottom, and they can bridge glass areas up to 10 metres long and 3.5 metres high, making them an ideal solution for protecting large panoramic windows.

The importance of dynamic solutions for revitalising urban centres

A solution like Soltec’s dynamic façade allows architects to create aesthetically sophisticated, functional and energy-efficient buildings, which is key to revitalising urban centres. The transformation of buildings such as the Gotthardská Residence contributes not only to the revitalisation of cities, but also to sustainable development and a better quality of life.

We are proud that this project has been nominated for the Czech National Architecture Award. The award recognises the work of an architect who has created a building tailored to the people, and our solution, which is part of this success.

Further information:

Jan Nedved’s website:

https://www.nedvedarchitekti.cz/realizace/rezidence-gotthardska/

Photo: Filip Slapal

Czech National Architecture Award:

https://ceskacenazaarchitekturu.cz/en/years/2024/rezidence-gotthardska