Atelie-r, LOOKOUT
ABOVE LITOMYŠL CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech architecture studio Atelier-r, founded by
Miroslav Pospíšil in Olomouc in 2005, has created a unique panoramic tower in
the town of Litomyšl, famous for its Renaissance castle and gardens (a UNESCO
World Heritage site) and its historic town centre.
A new urban landmark built on the outskirts of the town, Atelier-r's design is part of the Destinations of Journeys project promoted by the city to increase its tourist appeal and local people’s engagement in its historical heritage.
Located in a dominant position, the observation deck takes the form of two interconnected prismatic forms, one vertical rising to a height of about 15 meters, and one horizontal projecting obliquely from the ground. The project respects environmental factors through its symbolic structure, easily assimilable by both the public and its surroundings, while at the same time being extremely functional and reversible, so that it can be dismantled to restore the site to its natural state.
The projects’s two main features were built re-using old 13.6-meter PW containers made of COR-TEN left with their original surface interconnected by a steel reinforcement structure. The stability of the vertical container derives from an internal steel structure, which also supports a steel staircase connected to the observation deck.
The horizontal container, which has been altered by cutting the side facing in the direction of the road, is positioned diagonally by anchoring the shorter section to the top of the vertical container. The inside staircase has a perimeter frame made of steel sheet, which encloses the steps and landings in a sort of cage.
The staircase leads to a multi-level observation deck affording views in all directions and provides. The project’s symbolic significance is enahnced by the work of the artist Jan Dostál, who designed the lightning rod at the top of the tower, shocasing its role as an urban landmark.
Client: Town of Litomyšl; Project: Atelie-r / Miroslav Pospíšil; Co-author: Martin Karlík; Collaborators and suppliers: LOstade (Statics), Radim Blaťák (Lightning calculation, earthing), Jan Dostál (Mikado – lightning conductor system artwork), Zámečnictví Sloupský (Main contractor); Mikado artwork realization: DOSTAL SCULPTURE / Jan Dostál. Photo: BoysPlayNice. Cost: 61.500 €
