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Inside the bank's headquarters building lay a generous space at the interface of the interior and exterior, possessing great but untapped potential. The atrium, covering approximately 800 m2, was only used occasionally, and our task was to change this. The square atrium, enclosed by glass facades rising nine stories high, was intentionally austere in its design and materials, with the only accent being an oversized sculpture by Bohuš Kubinský. In our design, we worked with two human perspectives: from below and from above. We adapted the large scale of the atrium with furnishings to ensure that people would feel comfortable, protected from the sun or, conversely, from the cold and noise, while also enjoying a certain level of privacy. From the perspective above, we conceived the space to be visually engaging, intentionally disrupting the austere geometry and color palette. The effort to divide the space was based on the logic of its various potential uses; on the other hand, we had to respect the bank's requirement that the atrium must also serve for large social events and presentations, meaning it had to remain open and clear. We created four basic functional zones, which are delineated by the organic shapes of the furnishings and the flooring, which locally transitions from stone to a reflective sports surface in earthy tones. The first zone, called Meet & Greet, naturally connects to the bank's canteen due to its location. It offers seating in the sunniest corner of the atrium, which is why we decided to partially shade it with textiles that, along with the resilient flooring, also contribute to acoustic comfort. Solid wood, textiles, and greenery create a more intimate environment for meeting over food or for informal meetings. The second zone, Lab Spot, is defined by a undulating dark red atypical metal table structure, which is used for catering and also conceals a rotating presentation LED screen. In the center is a "Christmas tree," or more precisely an evergreen holly, whose shape allows it to be used sustainably in this way every year. Along the edge of the zone, lounge seating is oriented alongside a green strip. The third zone, Open Air Cinema, is a wooden podium that serves for presentations during large events but can be integrated into other models of space usage in various ways. At the edge of this zone is the Gaming Spot, where one can relax with video games in comfortable lounge seating. The fourth, and perhaps most popular, zone, Stay & Play, is formed by a subtle circular steel structure where exercise and play equipment are hung. The base is again a sports surface, and its design is intentionally the most dynamic. Employees can shoot hoops, blow off steam with a punching bag, or exercise on rings or a pull-up bar. Swings and other games are used primarily during activities for children. The element of greenery is irreplaceable in the atrium. Rich planting is concentrated in large containers made of solid wood and metal. Plant species were selected to thrive and grow in the atrium environment, which will contribute to the thermal and acoustic comfort of the space. Also important is the modularity and demountability of all elements—everything can be disassembled and relocated.
Ing. Lucia Galušková