Provostry at Prague Castle: Barracks to a Bustling Hub

The New Provostry, a neo-Gothic masterpiece from 1877, located next to St. Vitus Cathedral within Prague Castle is restored as a free-flowing  space by Studio Acht.

Initially built to house the provost, it was seized in the 1950s and fell into disrepair. Under communist rule, the courtyard and outbuildings were demolished, and the main structure was used as construction worker barracks. In 2016, the New Provostry was restored to the Church under restitution laws. This 730 sq m renovation project was taken up by Studio acht, with Václav Hlaváček as the chief architect, Mikuláš Wittlich and Pavel Jakoubek as the lead project engineers, to transform the building into a free-flowing space that is appreciated and loved by the community, to transform the building into a free-flowing space that is appreciated and loved by the community.

Studio Acht, an architecture firm with Dutch roots, was founded in 1973 in Rotterdam and now has its headquarters in Prague, with several offices across the Czech Republic and Europe. The studio blends Dutch temperance and urbanism with Central European poeticism, landscape sensitivity, and expertise in historical monuments. They excel in transforming neglected brownfields into vibrant urban districts and breathe new life into historical monuments, restoring both facades and interiors.

Opening the Courtyard to the Public

The renovation aims to reopen the inner courtyard to the public, offering a unique view over the lower Deer Moat, a perspective not available from other courtyards along the north castle wall. Two new extensions have replaced former outbuildings: one will serve as a café, and the other as a flexible commercial space, with another commercial unit within the refurbished main building.

Redefining Functionality Maintaining the Historic Character

The extensions boast a sleek design with glass façades. The west extension, designed for a café, is more open and vertical, while the east extension, suitable for various uses, is more compact. Both extensions maintain a distinct identity despite their similar design elements.

Enhancements included an overlook and a granite and bronze fountain on the north edge, and the courtyard was set to host outdoor events like theatrical performances or corporate gatherings. The restoration of the main building preserved its historical character while incorporating modifications to enhance openness and remove traces of its use as barracks.

“The main goal was to preserve the historic building while updating its interiors and exteriors. The façade was restored to its late 19th-century appearance, and the interiors were updated to blend contemporary and original features harmoniously. This blend is evident in the main staircase, where a delicate hollow circle lamp complements the geometric wooden ceiling. The building now serves as the administrative hub for church institutions, particularly the Metropolitan Chapter of St. Vitus,” explains the architects.

New courtyard extensions have been built on the historical sites of the original stables and coach house, targeting tourists visiting Prague Castle. The west courtyard extension, extending into the northern basement, will host a small café, while the east side will feature a general business unit. These extensions blend classic forms and materials typical of the castle area with modern details, such as a narrow skylight that creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, and a west extension corner where glass nearly reaches the edge, highlighting the roof’s delicate support.

Contemporary Interventions to the Existing Structure

The new buildings feature sandstone cladding from the Vyhnánov quarry, patinated copper details, tiled and wooden floors, and glass facades with refined steel frames.

The concept of an overlook extending beyond the walls originated from Josef Mocker, the building’s original architect, though it was never realized.

The recent renovation revives this idea with a modern twist. The fountain, consisting of a stone obelisk and a bronze-edged basin, allows water to flow from a cross, cascade over the names of three saints, and soak into the ground. A poem by a historical provost is engraved in stone on the overlook.

The restoration preserved the uniquely intact tiled stove, maintaining all seventeen rows of original tiles and repairing damaged details. The wooden coffered ceilings in the main staircase and chapel were restored by replacing deteriorated parts and retouching the rest. The courtyard now features a stone lookout with a granite and bronze fountain and is newly paved with granite from the Březinka quarry.

 

The new buildings feature sandstone cladding from the Vyhnánov quarry, patinated copper details, tiled and wooden floors, and glass facades with refined steel frames.

Fountain with a Modern Twist

The concept of an overlook extending beyond the walls originated from Josef Mocker, the Prague Castle’s original architect, though it was never realized. The recent renovation revives this idea with a modern twist. The fountain, consisting of a stone obelisk and a bronze-edged basin, allows water to flow from a cross, cascade over the names of three saints, and soak into the ground. A poem by a historical provost is engraved in stone on the overlook.