During the reconstruction of the Regional Museum – originally a Piarist grammar school from the first half of the 18th century – the designer, Josef Pleskot, was forced to modify his project radically when, in 2013, an archaeological survey uncovered valuable remains of buildings dating back to between the 14th and 17th centuries (remains of a track, gateway, ramparts and a townhouse). This area was the location of the so-called New Town, founded shortly before 1490 and which ceased to exist during the Thirty-year War due to its pro-Reformation tendencies, and the excavations themselves give us a rough idea of its original appearance.
In the original project from 2007, the entrance to the museum was located inconspicuously in a long rectangular annex, partially embedded into the ground towards the church. The annex formed a dignified and unobtrusive platform in front of the north-facing facade and cleverly combined several possibilities for entering the museum (barrier-free from Jiráskova Street, up steps from the direction of the church, and by means of the platform through the original doorway). However, in 2013, the fore-mentioned archaeological remains were found on the site of the planned entry platform. In the final designs, these remains were placed into a reinforced-concrete underground structure, slightly higher than the surrounding area, but connected with Jiráskova Street with an uninterrupted cobblestone surface.
The main, formal entrance was situated in a new building which occupies the front garden of the original museum. This new steel-framed building, in the shape of an irregular pyramid, stands slightly clear of the historical building, leaving a narrow walkway through which the museum can be accessed from Mariánská Street much like the narrow alleyways of historical towns.
Pleskot included a wide stairway in front of the west-facing facade, which combines several functions. Its upper landing is utilised by the museum café and also enables access to the museum. Simultaneously, it is a public space with steps where even passers-by not intending to visit the museum can sit.
Josef Pleskot took advantage of the building's position on the edge of an escarpment in order to create impressive views based on contrasting light and shadows. The new entry building is of modest dimensions but the interior appears monumental thanks to the view through the glazed wall which illuminates the otherwise dark interior space. On the other hand, Pleskot worked creatively with the dusky atmosphere of the space holding the archaeological remains and illuminated it by installing a triangular skylight, set into the cobblestones in front of the museum. Two stairways, bisecting the museum like two ascending light-tunnels, offer impressive views of the space in front of the west-facing facade.
Whilst designing the Senquar department store on Litomyšl town square (01-71), Pleskot came to the conclusion that National Heritage recommendations and building functions are to a large extent incompatible. However, twenty years later, whilst designing the Regional Museum, he was successful in addressing National Heritage restrictions creatively.
EK
