We will meet on the stairs

Generously designed stairs are not merely a functional means of overcoming height differences. They can be a meeting place, an audience area, a pedestal, in short, a dominant element.

They also play one of the main roles in the new pavilion of the Primary School in Smečno. This was completed as part of the expansion of the school complex at the end of 2020, based on a design by Ing. arch. Lukáš Čihák and his team from the LCArch studio. The pavilion Building harmoniously encloses the school grounds and the block of school buildings while also delineating the existing playground used for student recreation. The interior spaces are multifunctional; they serve as a dining area but also as a space for children's leisure activities, or for community gatherings.

Context defining content

As this was already the several expansion of the historic school building, architect Jan Čihák had a limited scope of work. “When expanding the existing building, one always feels a responsibility towards the space and mass into which one must fit. Our design thus defined the floor plan and the existing spatial arrangement. In plan, the new building follows the defined area and does not exceed the height of the existing buildings. The primary material characteristics of the new pavilion are the black cladding on the ground floor, which serves as a kind of delineation from the original buildings. The connecting element, on the other hand, is the wooden cladding, which we were inspired by from the already standing gymnasium. Another defining material is concrete, which is repeated on ceilings in both the exterior and interior, as well as on the outdoor paved areas around the building, including the generous staircase on the southern side. To soften the impression of the new mass, we used pronounced overhangs of the upper floor compared to the ground floor, so that the pavilion appears more subtle and as if it were levitating. The connection with the existing extension is ensured by a glass link without supports, enhancing the airiness and lightness.”

Meeting stairs as a central exterior element

A striking exterior element is the "meeting" stairs made of smooth vibro-pressed concrete stretching along the entire length of the facade oriented towards the courtyard. The staircase thus complements the space for play, gathering, and invites relaxation during the summer months. The author himself adds: "We designed the meeting staircase with elements of a stage due to the initial idea that considered an outdoor cinema. Although this plan was not realized, the stairs occupy a central position that fits into the overall concept of a playful and social space. Considering the character and use of the stairs, we chose smooth stair pieces made from vibro-pressed concrete, which is aesthetically very satisfying and also pleasant to the touch. The pieces themselves were provided by PRESBETON, which has extensive experience in producing smooth concrete and can also cater to individual requirements from the architect or designer. In addition to a wide range of prefabricated concrete components, custom production can also be arranged."

Multifunctional concept strengthening the urban community

As confirmed by Ing. Arch. Lukáš Čihák, the driving force behind the entire project was the enlightened mayor, who cared deeply about the entire concept with regard to public use. “We thus adapted all meeting spaces for multifunctional use, which is evident both in the exterior and in the interior spaces. The dining area located on the ground floor of the building is directly connected to the exterior through a strip of glazed doors. It serves not only for feeding local children but also the public and is used during the afternoon hours. On the first floor, there is, in line with this concept, a central meeting hall that also serves for relaxation during breaks or as a space for independent work during the lessons for students with attention disorders. The hall features a large strip window into the courtyard, creating an impression of open space. Glass partitions, on the other hand, ensure partial privacy when individual work is needed. The connecting glass link also serves a dual function: it is used for the changing rooms of the first-grade children and simultaneously functions as a corridor,” concludes Čihák.

Multifunctional technologies for a pleasant and healthy environment

The technical equipment also fits into the concept of the building's multifunctionality. The systems do not serve only one purpose but mostly perform multiple functions or serve for multiple spaces. This is the case, for example, with the underfloor heating, which cools the structures in warm months to achieve optimal temperatures inside the building. Similarly, the central ventilation system is used to alternate the servicing of individual spaces according to their current use. In practice, this means that during lessons, the ventilation switches to the hallways and other spaces, preparing the air for breaks, while in between classes, it ventilates the classrooms. Of course, air recuperation and possible adjustments as needed are standard.”