Centre of non-governmental organizations, Údolní | Projektil Architekti

Nadace Partnerství develops the project of eco-counselling center and educational garden since 2006. The building of the eco-counselling centre will provide space for activities of several non-profit organisations. The building is designed according to the passive house standard and it should become the first building of its kind in the Czech Republic (administrative building, accessible to public, which openly publishes the technical parameters achieved while running).

The lot is situated on the foot of Špilberk and it joins the greenery of the hill with the historical thoroughfare Údolní. The symbolism of this location corresponds with the concept of solution - connecting urban public spaces (and their atmosphere) – parks with streets and yards with gardens. A house with a garden is being built in the middle of those two worlds. It is possible to view the future educational purpose of the object as the means necessary for connecting the two different worlds – one being the economical and efficient and the other - ordinary one which is still learning about the necessity of more economical and ecological lifestyles and house-building. The reconstruction of the northern hillside of Špilberk including the planned bicycle and walking trails will hopefully continue under the concept of connecting urban public spaces. School and educational activities that will take place in the garden, on the trails and in the yard will breathe life into the centers premises. The garden, accessible to public, should also broaden the spectrum of ways to spend freetime in the centre of the city.

The oblong structure of the center is situated along the fall line which prevents it from creating a barrier on the lot. It serves as a guideline on the long rectangular lot stretching upwards to the castle. The structure’s south part gradually disappears into the hillside which makes the green roof top habitable. It is possible to go or look through the house on any level or to access it from above through the roof. The fundamental features of this open- spaced  are accessibility and passability.

The supporting structure of the house constitutes of a combined reinforced concrete frame work, which is a combination of load-bearing walls and columns and monolithic ceiling panels.  To reduce the proportion of non-renewable primary resources, the light peripheral construction is executed as a prefabricated timber frame with wood and hemp fiber based insulations. The outer wooden glassed-in infillings of the gaps are equipped with triple pane insulated glazing and aluminium blinds which dispose of a daylight transporting system. The partition structures inside the object are built of bricks and clay plaster. A vivid green floor serves as an intersection of the outdoor environment and the inner floors of the house inlaid into the hillside. The colour of other elements is preserved, staying true to the material they are made from. The energetic concept of this building is to be "thermally robust structure".  Such concept reduces the heat loss and is capable of utilizing the heat gains if necessary or it manages them in order to prevent overheating of the interior.  Supplementary active elements and technologies, which will efficiently adapt to variable outdoor conditions and user requirements while maintaining low energy usage, are also designed. Several innovative technological strategies were used (heat pump, concrete core activation system, recuperation, possibility of natural ventilation and precooling, light control system and the use of rain water).