Project: Public Gallery and Cultural Space – GaP
Architects: ORA Studio
Author: Jan Hora, Barbora Hora, Jan Veisser
Co-author: Barbora Ochotná, Matyáš Cigler
Project location Kollárova 27, Znojmo, Czech Republic
Completion year 2019
Project size 162 m 2
Photo credits: BoysPlayNice
Materials: Oak parquet floors, steel rods, birch plywood
Architects’ note
At the beginning, the idea was to create a space for exhibiting contemporary art in Znojmo and thus make it accessible to the general public. At the same time we designed a space that will serve as a base for the local association, space for community workshops, chamber theater or lectures. There is also a small café that ensures the economical sustainability of the project.
These different functions blend together and influence each other, the borders are marked only by the shade of the material – dark part for the cafe, light for the gallery. While the café space is heavily filled with a shelf system for displaying quality Czech design, the gallery space is empty and versatile.
Because it’s mainly a public gallery, we have designed a distinctive entrance portal made of bent steel sheets, which invites you to explore the interior.
The public gallery is projected into the street thanks to large windows. You do not have to enter, you can only peek.
Gallery’s note
GaP / Gallery and Space is a new cultural space which aims to educate the public about art and to keep the interest in art alive in the town of Znojmo. GaP is run by the Art to Znojmo Association (Umění do Znojma Association), which wanted to create a friendly community that would meet intensively (not only) over visual art. GaP’s program of cultural events is rich and very diverse. In addition to exhibitions, events like concerts, theater performances, art courses for children and adults, lectures, film screenings, evenings focused on music, readings and more are taking place here. GaP wants to be open to the public and maintain a high quality of cultural events at the same time. Apart from two exhibition rooms, there is also a café, a studio, a co-working space, a library and a design shop, which offers the products of outstanding brands, such as Rückl or Dechem.
