The building is the firm’s third within the masterplan of Prague 4- Pankrác that began almost a decade ago with a local Czech developer and was named the CITY Project.
City Green Court has been modified and re-designed to the new owner Skanska’s sustainability goals to achieve the highest level of LEED certification. The project has recently received a LEED Platinum Pre-certification.
Design features include distinctive vertical solid panels with fins angled according to the sun’s orientation. These are integrated into the curtain wall and emerge from both the south and west facades to minimise solar heat gain and to provide balanced shading and comfort within the interiors while maximising daylight and views.
In contrast, the north and east facades do not require solar protection as it is unnecessary to the north, and City Tower, the adjacent high rise standing on the neighboring site shields the building to the east. White spandrel glass replaces the fin panels producing facades which are sleek and uniform. The four facades when juxtaposed, create a harmonious and dynamic envelope that can be perceived differently from close and distant vantage points.
The eight-storey building is organised around a central sky-lit atrium surrounded by highly efficient office floor spaces. To the south, a grand canopy marks the formal entrance to the building that leads into a single height lobby which then opens into the multi-storey atrium.
Atop the seven office floor plates, the partial mechanical penthouse level is covered with an extensive green roof and a skylight. Nestled in the atrium is a singular black olive tree and green ivy wall, with bridges spanning above from one side of the space to the other. A free standing stair connects the first four floors, promoting movement and interaction and encouraging less use of elevators. The exterior and interior of City Green Court are intertwined visually and physically with landscape elements spilling into and reappearing in the atrium.
In addition to the efficient building envelope, some of the most important measures towards LEED certification include natural ventilation of the atrium during the summer, state-of-the-art mechanical systems, reduction of water runoffs and storm water collection, green roof, indoor air quality control and the use of local and recycled materials.
With City Green Court, Richard Meier & Partners has completed the northwestern corner of the superblock along M. Pujmanové and Hvezdova Streets with a cluster of three buildings. Conceived as a geometric volume in dialogue with the near context, City Green Court also offers respected contrast to the surrounding buildings. Like the earlier buildings, City Tower and City Point, it is inspired by the language of Czech Cubism with an expressive façade that responds to issues of conservation and sustainability articulated with forms reminiscent of this avant-garde movement.
The project is slated to reach completion in early 2012.
