Gallery Svatoš in Kostelec nad Černými lesy

The ceramics gallery is the completion of the last fragment of the original buildings, which finalized the realization of the Family Farm in Kostelec nad Černými lesy, also published on these pages. The passage object was originally intended for the housing of the next generation. However, over the years, the family's needs changed; the boys left, and Mrs. Štěpánka began to focus more on ceramic objects rather than the production of functional pottery, fully relocating to the ceramic studio in the estate. Contacts with other artistic friends, who like her needed to present their works somewhere, led to the idea of converting the barn into a gallery space connected to the existing ceramic workshop. For me, this was a very joyful task, as the change of use meant that the barn space would not be cluttered with partitions and its spaciousness denied, but that it would be possible to realize a concept that does not really touch the envelope shells-walls and ceiling too much and acknowledges the building's volume related to its original function. A basic concept was designed: a box for the toilet and kitchenette, a deck suspended in the space, and a leading cylindrical staircase. I wouldn’t be me, a complicator, if I didn't put a personal touch on the design of the inserted deck. To support the play with the wooden construction, there are transparent triangles allowing light under the deck, defining some areas of the ceiling. The space under the deck obtains a different light impression, and the deck surface is not just a dark rectangle hanging above the ground space. Most of the work is done in a raw manner corresponding to the rawness of the original building. In front of the barn, there is an effort to create an entrance with the means of small architecture - "terraces" for exhibits, a paving design, a boarded passage through the barn, etc. Perhaps no further words are needed, as the simplicity of the building does not require them. Perhaps in conclusion - the owners are very pleased with their endeavor, and the heritage protectors were very correct.