In the current climate, strategies of reduce, reuse, and recycle are one of the most important building philosophies, in practice. This has led to an increased interest in restoration architecture across the globe. Reinforcing this, Usti nad Orlici of the Czech Republic organised a competition to convert a former textile mill into a contemporary art gallery and cultural centre. The winners of the competition, CHYBIK + KRISTOF (CHK) recently unveiled their winning design proposal. Located at the heart of Usti nad Orlici, this multifunctional cultural space is set to expand on the city’s existing cultural infrastructure, and become the new contemporary art hub, all the while paying homage to its industrial past. 

The steady decline of textile industries through the 20^th and 21^st century translated into the shrinking infrastructure of the Pearl factory and by 2009 only three of its original buildings remained. Based out of Prague, Brno, and Bratislava, CHYBIK + KRISTOF built on these buildings, redesigning and restoring them into two primary masses, connected with new and improved public pathways. Thus creating a truly cultural building.

The gallery itself comprises three exhibition spaces, spread over 3200 square metres, serving different functions. The main mass of the right wing is designed as the primary gallery with a traditional white box space. This main gallery is surrounded by a balcony gallery, from above. This balcony gallery embodies a textile cabinet that pays homage to the buildings’ history. Though they are a part of each other spatially, the design allows for a soft separation of the mezzanine balcony gallery from the main gallery, through curtains. This creates much-needed flexibility of use.

Contrasting the larger white box space, to the left is a smaller black box space. The different kinds of gallery spaces, as well as the flexibility of use and operations, creates a dynamic cultural centre that has the potential to go beyond the traditional display and observe model. As a contemporary art hub, it entertains the possibilities of alternate methods of display and expression.

In addition to housing displays, the Pearl Gallery has been reimagined to foster community and public engagement beyond curated activities. CHK designs a new public courtyard and café at the front of the primary building, connecting it to the main street and surrounding parks. With ample indoor-outdoor seating as well as hard and soft landscaping, this space is meant to act as a transition, from the bustling street activity to the subtly subdued interiors of the gallery spaces. This association of interior spaces with exterior and community spaces is what true cultural architecture is defined by.

While the original Pearl factory harbours history and heritage, CHYBIK + KRISTOF takes this and uses it to create spaces that look forward. The studio preserves the architectural heritage of the space by stripping selective surfaces to reveal the original material palette with its rugged texture. These textured surfaces sit against polished metallic sheets along with smooth and shiny tiles and railings. This contradictory aesthetic is intentional, as it creates spaces that honour the past while looking to the future. The glistening new elements bring a lightness to the spaces, thus promising an illuminating future.

The old industrial chimney, clearly no longer in use, is adorned with a gleaming pearl sculpture that takes the buildings' existing landmark status and elevates it further. While the choice of motif may be a bit on the nose, sitting high above the rest of the gallery, the pearl is meant to act as a beacon. It is set to sparkle and be visible from great distances.

The idea of accentuating the old with the new is a running theme throughout the design—be it spatial planning or choice of materials. It is not only reflective of the Czech architecture landscape, but also of the functional intent of the new art hub that rests on an abundance of heritage as it looks to engaging its audiences with contemporary art and culture.