Information Centre Karlovy Vary

The study of is based on the request of the The Karlovy Vary City Chief Architect's Office (KAM°KV) to create an information centre not only for visitors but also for the residents of Karlovy Vary. The information centre should serve as a "lighthouse" drawing attention to the future development of the area along the Ohře River. At the same time, the information centre should be relocatable in the future so that it can fulfil its function in other planned development sites. For this reason, the requirement to design the information centre as a modular building made of containers that can be moved from place to place was chosen in the assignment.

The location of the information centre on the land between Varšavská and Západní Streets seems appropriate, given that it is situated at the junction between the Lower Railway Station, the Upper Railway Station and the bus terminal by the Market Hall. At the same time, the location is close to the main pedestrian zone in T. G. Masaryk Street, close to the City Hall, etc.

The design of the building responds to the local context and creates an "U" shape out of five containers with an inner atrium situated around an existing mature tree. The building of the information centre is one story high, both for ease of accessibility, simpler construction and also for less financial requirements. However, it is possible to consider using the roof of the information centre as a summer terrace, which can serve as an additional exhibition area or as a space for cultural events (discussions, openings, presentations, etc.).

The front entrance area of the information centre is enhanced by a new concrete staircase with steps for seating and a new raised wooden deck shaded by awnings, which creates additional seating space and extends the capacity of the interior of the information centre for additional visitors, especially in the summer months. The information centre building is complemented by an observation tower that serves as a 'landmark' - an easy-to-remember feature visible from a distance that highlights that something special is happening in this place.

The tower is also a good addition to the information centre because the immediate surroundings of the area are very opaque (underpass, greenery, busy roads, bridge, river...). Without it, the information centre could become an inconspicuous "garden pavilion" that most newcomers would pass by unnoticed. At the same time, the possibility to climb the staircase of the tower up to the level of the main cornice of the surrounding houses can provide a new view of a familiar area and facilitate, for example, the presentation of the design of the new development to the wider public. In addition to the viewing platform, the tower works as a stairwell that can be used for exhibition purposes (posters, info panels, art installations, etc.).