The Ústecký Hraničář presented his vision of development along with the architects Archport
The Public Hall Hraničář in Ústí nad Labem is a well-known cultural institution with a rich program and a wide range of creative activities, having kicked off its 10th season this September. The building, where the association is located, is a landmark in the city, marking exactly a century since its establishment. Thus, there couldn't be a more appropriate year to reward ourselves with a comprehensive vision for future development. Hraničář has partnered with architects from the Archport studio to transform these ideas into a comprehensive study of a cultural center for the 21st century.
The building was constructed in the early 20s of the 20th century as a club house for the German Social Democracy. Not long after, modern cinematic projections began to dominate its program, and in 1960 the hall was renovated solely for the operation of a cinema, and the building also acquired its present name. The cinema operated until 2010, when its then-owner closed it.
Since 2014, however, Hraničář has once again served the general public as a venue for film screenings, festivals, exhibition activities of the art gallery, concerts, theater performances, lectures and seminars, workshops, and other educational or creative activities, cultural programs for educational institutions, and various other cultural and social programs. In a short time, the association became one of the largest providers of culture in the city of Ústí nad Labem and is a key institution on the Czech cultural scene.
Hraničář is located in the broader center of the regional city of Ústí nad Labem, on a side street with a piazza, away from the hustle of the main Ústí boulevard, Masaryk Street. Throughout its history, entire generations of residents have passed through it, remaining forever etched in their nostalgic memories.
A Prototype of a Cultural Institution for the 21st Century
The wide spectrum of events tests the possibilities of the existing building on a daily basis and reveals its limits. The aim of the building's renovation is to create a prototype of a new place that offers an environment for the cultural person of today. An environment for active and passive entertainment, relaxation, inspiration, knowledge, creation, and socializing. An environment that responds to the course of the day and the changing moods of visitors, continually inviting active life. Comfort for the individual is crucial, ensuring they do not feel confined by others, yet still find inspiration in them. Awareness of all the concurrent activities within the building is important.
The entrance, street-facing part of the building with its characteristic facade is a reflection of Hraničář. For a full century, it has retained its face and qualities. The later renovation of the rear part, namely the hall itself, has impacted both the spatial and especially the technical qualities of the building. This was undoubtedly exacerbated by limited investments in the building's maintenance over the past 20 years. The initial decision regarding the extent of the renovation was thus based on the assumption that converting the existing hall into a multifunctional space and improving the internal layouts would be inefficient, uneconomical, and operationally complicated. Therefore, an approach was chosen that preserves only the street-facing part, while the section with the hall will be completely removed.
The proposed use of the original street section of the building remains nearly unchanged. On the ground floor, there will be a café linked to the public space in front of Hraničář, now also connected to the foyer and hall at the same elevation. In the basement, the café's facilities and storage will be conveniently located, along with a cloakroom and restrooms for visitors. In the upper floors, there will continue to be a gallery with a higher quality and more versatile exhibition space, directly illuminated by a skylight and with direct access to the rooftop terrace of the annex. This can serve as an outdoor extension of the gallery space or for vernissages.
The main change is the insertion of a multi-level foyer between the original section and the hall. This will serve not only for movement across the building but, above all, will allow visitors to gain an overview of and contact with all activities taking place at Hraničář at that moment. It can function as an expansion of the hall or café, as a space for smaller concerts, and will become the artery of the building. Its irregular layout, with differently shaped balconies and staircases, aims to evoke the impression of randomness reminiscent of communal courtyards and inner blocks. Above the entrance to the hall, a painted “mosaic” by Ladislav Lapáček will also be transferred from the existing foyer. We believe that the foyer space will gradually become inhabited by its visitors, creating a homely backdrop for all activities.
The hall is designed without fixed elevation; variability will be ensured primarily by a new movable audience and retractable stage. With a capacity of 280 seated spectators, it will offer film and selected theater performances, as well as a full-fledged space for hosting club-style concerts, lectures, and other social events. Above the hall, a new studio space has been created under a rhythmically segmented gray roof, illuminated by skylights and directly accessible via two rooftop terraces.
A Project that Will Lift the Spirit in Ústí
The importance of this initiative is absolutely crucial for the city of Ústí nad Labem. Generally, the aim is to create a building that serves as a contemporary multicultural platform in form and technical solutions that meet current and future demands. The Public Hall Hraničář has already established itself as a bearer of these themes, with its name and story resonating not only on a local or regional level. The renovation of the hall could thus elevate the concept to a significantly higher level. Not only will it bring benefits to creators working at Hraničář and visitors to various cultural programs, but it will also offer opportunities to expand and further professionalize these activities. We are convinced that the realization of the renovation itself will be a strong impulse for the stagnating city of Ústí nad Labem, both in terms of its scale and quality and, above all, because it is an initiative of civil society. This can contribute to improving and refreshing the mood even for those city residents who are not, and perhaps will not in the future, wish to be direct visitors of Hraničář.
The building of Hraničář is privately owned, and the association is renting it. Currently, the outright purchase of the building is beyond the financial capabilities of the Public Hall Hraničář association. Additionally, the technical condition of the building will soon require substantial investments or will increase costs for ongoing repairs or emergencies. Hence, acquiring the building and the subsequent proposed renovation is the most economical and logical option for continuing the story of Hraničář. Finding a way to realize the project is a task we must accomplish together!
More information >
The building was constructed in the early 20s of the 20th century as a club house for the German Social Democracy. Not long after, modern cinematic projections began to dominate its program, and in 1960 the hall was renovated solely for the operation of a cinema, and the building also acquired its present name. The cinema operated until 2010, when its then-owner closed it.
Since 2014, however, Hraničář has once again served the general public as a venue for film screenings, festivals, exhibition activities of the art gallery, concerts, theater performances, lectures and seminars, workshops, and other educational or creative activities, cultural programs for educational institutions, and various other cultural and social programs. In a short time, the association became one of the largest providers of culture in the city of Ústí nad Labem and is a key institution on the Czech cultural scene.
Hraničář is located in the broader center of the regional city of Ústí nad Labem, on a side street with a piazza, away from the hustle of the main Ústí boulevard, Masaryk Street. Throughout its history, entire generations of residents have passed through it, remaining forever etched in their nostalgic memories.
A Prototype of a Cultural Institution for the 21st Century
The wide spectrum of events tests the possibilities of the existing building on a daily basis and reveals its limits. The aim of the building's renovation is to create a prototype of a new place that offers an environment for the cultural person of today. An environment for active and passive entertainment, relaxation, inspiration, knowledge, creation, and socializing. An environment that responds to the course of the day and the changing moods of visitors, continually inviting active life. Comfort for the individual is crucial, ensuring they do not feel confined by others, yet still find inspiration in them. Awareness of all the concurrent activities within the building is important.
The entrance, street-facing part of the building with its characteristic facade is a reflection of Hraničář. For a full century, it has retained its face and qualities. The later renovation of the rear part, namely the hall itself, has impacted both the spatial and especially the technical qualities of the building. This was undoubtedly exacerbated by limited investments in the building's maintenance over the past 20 years. The initial decision regarding the extent of the renovation was thus based on the assumption that converting the existing hall into a multifunctional space and improving the internal layouts would be inefficient, uneconomical, and operationally complicated. Therefore, an approach was chosen that preserves only the street-facing part, while the section with the hall will be completely removed.
The proposed use of the original street section of the building remains nearly unchanged. On the ground floor, there will be a café linked to the public space in front of Hraničář, now also connected to the foyer and hall at the same elevation. In the basement, the café's facilities and storage will be conveniently located, along with a cloakroom and restrooms for visitors. In the upper floors, there will continue to be a gallery with a higher quality and more versatile exhibition space, directly illuminated by a skylight and with direct access to the rooftop terrace of the annex. This can serve as an outdoor extension of the gallery space or for vernissages.
The main change is the insertion of a multi-level foyer between the original section and the hall. This will serve not only for movement across the building but, above all, will allow visitors to gain an overview of and contact with all activities taking place at Hraničář at that moment. It can function as an expansion of the hall or café, as a space for smaller concerts, and will become the artery of the building. Its irregular layout, with differently shaped balconies and staircases, aims to evoke the impression of randomness reminiscent of communal courtyards and inner blocks. Above the entrance to the hall, a painted “mosaic” by Ladislav Lapáček will also be transferred from the existing foyer. We believe that the foyer space will gradually become inhabited by its visitors, creating a homely backdrop for all activities.
The hall is designed without fixed elevation; variability will be ensured primarily by a new movable audience and retractable stage. With a capacity of 280 seated spectators, it will offer film and selected theater performances, as well as a full-fledged space for hosting club-style concerts, lectures, and other social events. Above the hall, a new studio space has been created under a rhythmically segmented gray roof, illuminated by skylights and directly accessible via two rooftop terraces.
A Project that Will Lift the Spirit in Ústí
The importance of this initiative is absolutely crucial for the city of Ústí nad Labem. Generally, the aim is to create a building that serves as a contemporary multicultural platform in form and technical solutions that meet current and future demands. The Public Hall Hraničář has already established itself as a bearer of these themes, with its name and story resonating not only on a local or regional level. The renovation of the hall could thus elevate the concept to a significantly higher level. Not only will it bring benefits to creators working at Hraničář and visitors to various cultural programs, but it will also offer opportunities to expand and further professionalize these activities. We are convinced that the realization of the renovation itself will be a strong impulse for the stagnating city of Ústí nad Labem, both in terms of its scale and quality and, above all, because it is an initiative of civil society. This can contribute to improving and refreshing the mood even for those city residents who are not, and perhaps will not in the future, wish to be direct visitors of Hraničář.
The building of Hraničář is privately owned, and the association is renting it. Currently, the outright purchase of the building is beyond the financial capabilities of the Public Hall Hraničář association. Additionally, the technical condition of the building will soon require substantial investments or will increase costs for ongoing repairs or emergencies. Hence, acquiring the building and the subsequent proposed renovation is the most economical and logical option for continuing the story of Hraničář. Finding a way to realize the project is a task we must accomplish together!
More information >
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