BUILDING OF THE YEAR 2011 - UFFO
THEATERS & PERFORMANCE, COMMUNITY CENTER•CZECH REPUBLIC
The new multi-purpose cultural centre building in Trutnov was erected in 2010 according to a 2003 architectonic competition award-winning design by Radek Vopalecký and Luděk Štefek. The UFFO concept features a variable interior layout with movable partitions, mobile auditorium and positionable hydraulic orchestra pit and enables staging classical drama, holding congresses, ballets, balls, live pop music gigs, musicals etc. The hydraulic orchestra pit is also used as a lift for handling and transporting the taken-down auditorium to the underground storage areas. It is used as the orchestra pit in position -1 m; it serves as a dance floor at level 0 and as a stage in position +1 m. The unique features of this theatre hall also include natural lighting by means of a glassed ceiling with sun blinds as well as the possibility to build an opposing auditorium. This creates a central space wedged between two auditoriums. The layout is especially suitable for fashion shows, alternative theatre or classical music concerts. Architects Vopalecký & Štefek wanted to open (expose) the happenings on the stage to Trutnov's genius loci and expressed this intention with the transparent facade of the centre. When all partitions are removed and the facade is opened towards the square, the boulevard and the stage merge into one. This theatre offers room for small-scale performances for 250 viewers; however, the open space layout enables inflating the auditorium to house up to 1,200 persons.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF THE CZECH REPUPLIC
UEFA President Michel Platini inaugurated the new headquarters of the Football Association of the Czech Republic in Strahov, which is located next to the old one. It includes a new Hall of Fame, which Czech football has not had before. The headquarters, which was built exclusively with UEFA and FIFA money by Syner, the sponsor of Jablonec, was designed by architects Luděk Štefek, Jana Vebrová and Radek Vopalecký. The official opening of the administration building, the construction of which began with ground works in December 2013, was attended by members of the UEFA Executive Committee, who are in Prague for the European Under-21 Championship finals. UEFA provided 90 percent of the funding for the construction from its Hattrick programme. Another 10 percent was given by FIFA. Czech football did not have to invest in the headquarters, plus it will save on rent costs. "We came to see how you invested our money. Especially our budget chief is curious," Platini joked during the ceremony. According to the planned budget, the construction cost 137 million crowns including VAT. "And we managed to save some money for the second phase of the construction," Pelta said. The three-storey building also contains representative areas, meeting rooms for training, a restaurant and a press centre. The top two floors are office space, while the basement has four football changing rooms. The inspiration came from the UEFA and FIFA headquarters, among others.