CEMS Lobby of Business and Economics Faculty of Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague

Client:  Economics Faculty of Czech University of Life Science in Prague
Location: Provozně ekonomická fakulta ČZU. Kamýcká 129, Prague 6
Year of completition 2017
Fhoto: Stanislav Bříza

The area of 2000 m2 is situated on two floors of the building, half of which was completed 10 years ago and the second was completed in 2016. The overall concept of the building was out of date. The largest faculty of CZU wanted to create an attractive environment that could become one of the tools to attract new students. Another task was to use the space as efficiently as possible, to increase its capacity and to divide it into more functional zones with various types of furniture serving students for various activities. In the busiest part of the lobby, eight seating boxes are designed with interactive screens for group education. On the right side of the entrance is a furniture ‘wave’, offering students space for quick activities. Two existing staircases connecting the lobby with the 2nd floor are located behind these zones on both sides. The originally unused space under the staircase was suitable for placing lockers. We established the cabinet design with a new staircase facing, which became the dominant feature of the foyer. The space is insulated by the presence of wood. On the 2nd floor there is a buffet in the middle part. In the right part of the space is the quietest part for individual activity. The first and second floor are visually connected by two skylights. Due to the original size of the skylight, the faculty lost practically usable space. That is why we have slightly extended the area of the gallery by reducing skylights. A new railing design around them serves to lift the bar stools’ worktops. We significantly increased the seating capacity. The furniture set ‘Goat’ is placed in multiple locations. The design of the table is made of oak prisms, which in the level above the heads of the students pass into a horizontal trapeze serving a place for flowers.
In the open space, they formed vertical divisions that divide the space into individual zones. The
furniture is complemented by a wide range of AV technology. The furniture includes
built-in sockets, induction charging stations and sensors, through which
students can use the mobile app to check the current occupancy.