Interconnection design by A. Engel 1936
Two connecting bridges are located in both places of the buildings originally considered by their author, architect Antonín Engel, in 1936. The proposal connected the two buildings with a massive masonry structure on pillars and vaults.
In 2017, the investor VŠCHT launched an architectural competition for the design of the current connecting bridges with the aim of completing the original idea and connecting the two buildings in one unit. The buildings are connected by light, crystalline-shaped glass bridges. The grid connects the rectangle with the hexagon, which refers to the world of organic chemistry – the benzene core.
The crystalline form of the connecting bridges carries a sculptural quality and lightness that complements the two existing solid classicizing buildings. The structures of the two footbridges are different, their geometries mirror each other. Glazed crystals appear with the new VŠCHT brand, they show the dynamic inner world of our leading chemical and technological university, which takes place behind the walls of the original buildings.
The crystalline form of the connecting bridges carries a sculptural quality and lightness that complements the two existing solid classicizing buildings. The structures of the two footbridges are different, their geometries mirror each other. Glazed crystals are becoming a new brand of VŠCHT, they show the dynamic inner world of our leading chemical and technological university, which takes place behind the walls of the original buildings.
The bridge structure of both footbridges consists of a simple beam placed on two reinforced concrete pillars, which are attached to the facades of the existing buildings. The pillars are lined with plinth stone and are optically unified with the facade of the building. The diagonals of the steel structure serve as struts and tie rods and thus help to bring out the center of the bridge. The structure is glazed from the outside with thermally insulating double glazing with a cemented joint. The full ceiling of the gangway stiffens the structure and prevents excessive overheating. The floor with a concrete layer dampens the vibration of the structure. The gangways are closed by automatic glass doors.
