The Imperial Spa's inner courtyard, once dedicated to the historic building's engine room, has been transformed into a multifunctional acoustic and scenic space, winner of the Czech Architecture Prize 2024.
The Karlovy Vary Imperial Spa is a historic monument of international significance. The building bears the legacy of the golden age of European spa tourism and recalls the days when the Czech city was the center of the world's elite. Imperial bath technologies were among the major inventions of the second half of the 19thcentury . Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer designed state-of-the-art mechanical installations.
"This is a unique mechanism for processing and distributing peat , " explains project architect Petr Hájek. "The peat was transported by an elevator conveyor from the treatment room, located outside the building, to the baths spread over several floors. This efficient operation made it possible to serve 2,000 people in 100 thermal rooms per day, ensuring a rapid return on investment despite doubling the initial budget."
Scenic and acoustic technology
Today, the Imperial Spa's interior hall, originally dedicated to technical equipment, has been redesigned to transform this remarkable piece of architecture into a cultural institution. At a total cost of almost 60 million euros (CZK 1.5 billion), this project will revitalize both the heritage site and the cultural life of the Czech city.
The Karlovy Vary region, which has owned the building since 2019, has entrusted the work to Petr Hájek, who has imagined a multi-functional, multi-genre event hall. The architect's credits include the DOX+ Center for Contemporary Art, the reconstruction of the terraces of the Lucerna Palace and Letná Water Tower in Prague, and the national pavilion exhibition at the 2016 Venice Biennale.
The 492-square-meter hall is thus equipped with state-of-the-art technology for concerts, theater, dance, conferences, film screenings and popular music, functioning as a transformer. "The historic peat machine inspired our design," says the architect.
Modular systems
This modular space modifies the spatial and acoustic parameters according to the needs of a specific production. The ensemble features a retractable grandstand, folding seats, suspensions and rails. The orchestra shell is also fitted with a retractable screen that reflects sound back to the audience.
A heavy curtain can dampen acoustic sound, while the elements used can adjust the reverberation time (prolongation of a sound), direction and intensity of sound energy. Three-walled rotating acoustic panels above the stage can also reflect, absorb, disperse or direct sound.
The wooden planks, laid on the steel structure of the orchestra floor, play an equally important role, encouraging the circulation of sound to better resonate with the musicians' instruments. " The hall can be compared to a Swiss Army knife," adds Petr Hájek humorously.
The Karlovy Vary region is skilfully continuing the metamorphosis of this UNESCO-protected monument, which includes a museum focusing on the spa industry.
