Museum of Mechanical Christmas Nativity Scenes in Svitavy designed by Atelier Štěpán

The museum will be located in house No. 3 in the square, in the adjoining extension, and it connects to the building of the Ottendorfer Library. Both existing buildings were constructed at the end of the 19th century, arising on the site of fortifications and adjoining the southern city promenade. Now, a busy road occupies the site of the promenade, which has significantly affected the urban relationships and connections of the buildings to the surroundings. These relationships are now being newly interpreted.

The architectural concept of the museum is inspired by the atmosphere of Bethlehem (with a capital B), its alleys, and elevation levels, to which the architectural figure of Svitavy naturally lends itself. The shapes of the staircases and nooks are influenced by the graphics with optical illusions of Maurits Escher. The columnar structure with vaulted arches offers an effective static scheme to this spatially fragmented situation. The bases of the columns are also shifted further away from the existing houses to minimize their impact on the surrounding structures. Their shapes evolve and are a contemporary stylization of the arcades in the square they connect to.

Access to the building of the crèches will be possible from two sides. The main entrance will be from the square, but entry will also be possible from the opposite side, from the direction of the roadway, where the arrival of school buses and parking for visitors is anticipated. In the gap between the houses, there will be a multi-level foyer with vertical communications. The facilities will be located in the underground floor, allowing the rest of the building's structure to be functionally free. The actual operation of the museum will then take place in the individual floors within the preserved structural framework.

The exhibition is conceived as a fragile structural reflection of architectural principles transformed into an exhibition. The exhibits were placed based on exact principles specified in parametric modeling and the foundations of a specific script, with a slight intuitive willingness in their adjustments. The structure (à la Sol Lewitt) has a basic module of 19 × 21.5 cm and encompasses spatial exhibits, texts, and photographs. This principle thus allows the displayed objects to appear in new spatial contexts.

On the western side, a garden adjoins the museum, where the creation of a tower with a crèche clock is planned.