Art, architecture and design, in the contemporary world, often seem to function as separate silos—but the frequent spillovers of one into the other are inevitable. It is in these interactions that an effervescent dialogue emerges and (re)defines the innate ties between creative languages—formalising a new, hybrid one. A similar experiment comes to fruition in Karlin, a transforming industrial district in Prague. Standing tall and ‘fragmented,’ the architecture effortlessly bleeds into and perhaps becomes, sculpture and vice versa.

Conceived by QARTA Architektura, an architecture firm based in Prague, Czech Republic, Fragment Apartments joins the evolving fabric of the district while also paying homage to it. The residential block comprising 140 apartment units is designed as a visually impactful augmentation to its context, catering to formal and functional aspects while being carefully connected to the surrounding public space. Monumental humanoid sculptures by David Černý appear to uphold the jagged residential architecture, the cascading units seemingly perched on giant human limbs, laying bare a futuristic vision. “We bring a dialogue between equals – the existing and the new – as our contribution to the Karlín transformation. We see this dialogue as a logical prerequisite to quality development,” says lead architect David Wittasek.

Helmed by Jiri Rezak and David Wittassek, the creative studio has realised a variety of projects in a span of over 20 years. Their portfolio is tied together through an emphasis on solutions that blend function and aesthetics, each embodying the spirit of its context to integrate into it seamlessly. "The basis of our work is to focus on the quality of life," says Rezak. "We believe that precise, detailed design, creativity and emphasis on overall aesthetics are behind the amiability of our projects," adds Wittassek.

On the seam of history and the contemporary

The past few decades have brought about dramatic changes in Karlin, which started as an industrial district in Prague. The district has now grown to become a popular location for housing, work and leisure. The Fragment Apartments are imminently largely guided by this ongoing transformation, aspiring to respond to both the past and the future of the context. The apartments stand on the boundary of two visually distinct zones of Karlin, one containing tall, freestanding buildings of the modernist Invalidovna housing estate and the other featuring a traditional city block pattern. The striking form of the building is evocative of this very contrast, simultaneously expressing harmony with it.

Two converging wings of the building take cues from the shape of the plot as well as the character of their surroundings. Two volumes on one end conform to the city block pattern while a single volume on the other speaks of the isolated modernist approach. The ‘fragments’ appearing like pixels of the facade design symbolise the transition between the two zones—suggesting the disintegration of the city block. Proximity to the historic Invalidovna building also delineated the structural language. “With all due respect to the Invalidovna’s architectural quality and the energy of this unique place, we chose a contrasting position, an imprint of the contemporary era, for the Fragment building,” the architects share. 

Pixelated fragments of a whole

The floor plans of the apartments indicate two volumes resting on a transparent plinth on the ground floor. The shape of the building mutates fluidly as it moves upwards, reflecting the changing interior and exterior environments. The calculated cascading of the mass is not merely a visual statement, its purposes also include compensating heavy traffic on Rohanské nábřeží and capitalising on the qualities of the local environment—the immediate proximity of the Kaizl Orchards or views to landmarks such as the Vítkov Hill. The fluidly positioned units also allow for the optimisation of individual apartment designs and courtyards with reference to the movement of the sun. The jagged facade also facilitates a play of shadows that changes the perception of the domineering form throughout the day. Despite its massive scale, the fragmentation of the volume bridges it to the human scale.

For a building this dynamic, structural details are central to its realisation. Although the architects considered a precast solution, the client chose a reinforced concrete solution. The apartments offer a combination of small, medium and large rental units. Every box of 3.8 x 3.1 metres contains one room; the units are combined to create larger units. “What we value most about the whole process is that the building form hasn’t changed from the initial sketches to the complete building and not just for aesthetic reasons but for technical reasons, too,” says Wittasek.

To keep the original shape and proportion of the boxes and loggias intact, several techniques were considered for the facade. During the assembly, the windows were fitted first and the ventilated facade second. The shell is constructed of aluminium composite panels and since the surface is exposed to natural elements, it changes character with time. Furthermore, the building is equipped with standard technology such as green roofs, solar panels, heat pumps and water management systems using its underground water source.

Openness and transparency

Relationship with the Invalidovna building and the park is essential in the general improvement of the public space—its continuity and permeability. Hence, openness and transparency are prioritised in the design. The building split apart on one end welcomes visitors into generous covered spaces with sculptures, greenery and water features—a relaxing atmosphere for residents and the public alike. The building is made pedestrian permeable in this direction and the people can also access the shops and services on the ground floor. The courtyard design is partly paved and partly filled with vegetation, including the roof and the first floor.

Vacillating between sculpture and architecture

The enormous artwork accompanying the built structure is not only linked to it conceptually but is integrated in a way that it actively responds to the mass of the building. The sculpture art is devoid of any attributes that could limit its interpretation; neither the shape of the statues nor their gestures point at a specific identity—leaving ample room for different interpretations and points of view. The approach that takes the stage in Fragment is one of unbridled experimentation straddling architecture and sculpture. The sculpture is not limited to ornamental additions to the facade and the architecture in itself is not a sculpture either. The two disparate entities come together to weave a tapestry that not only represents the times it belongs to but also embraces its diverse context—its ‘fragments’ blending into an ever-changing urban fabric.