The minimalist object of the Cluster of Art and Design is intended primarily for teaching singing and playing various musical instruments. Teaching is concentrated in 50 differently sized classrooms with special acoustic parameters. The composition, layout and unique technical design of the internal structures correspond to this intention. There is also a concert hall, visually designed in the spirit of nature, which has specially designed acoustics suitable for classical music.
A digital technology centre is located on the ground floor of the building. Additional space has been dedicated to displays of student and graduate artwork.
The object of the Art and Design Cluster is divided into two basic parts. The first, a concrete cube with a concert hall, natural materials and admitted structures, forms an interesting contrast to the theme of art education.
Perimeter walls of double-sided exposed concrete are complemented by windows of various shapes and sizes. The second mass is realized as brick with a projecting tubular façade that plays the melody of the faculty's musical production. In fact, the building's coloured lighting is designed to interact with the music in the chamber hall. The metal structures used evoke musical instruments in their appearance.
The tubular facade, or rather its substrate, was designed on the basis of the recommendation of the implementation company Timo Profistavby with the company Cemix. With regard to the function of the façade, a solution in the form of the CEMIXTHERM HARD MW system was proposed. This is essentially a highly mechanically resistant and flexible insulation system.
The resistance of the facade is ensured by the use of a special adhesive filler dispersion Cemix 2270. For the external final surface of the façade, Cemix 2727 Activcem plaster was used with a grain size of 1.5 mm in grey shade SE10 with a TSR value of 6, which reflects the total solar reflectance. Activcem plaster is manufactured on a silicone base which is supplemented with organic binders.
This makes the plaster very flexible and, above all, durable, which significantly eliminates the risk of cracks on its surface. The plaster also contains long-lasting active encapsulated additives that prevent the formation of mould and algae. The facade is thus attributed high colour fastness and UV stability.
As can be seen when looking at the detail of the facade, a uniform aesthetic appearance has been achieved throughout. In front of this facade, a grid of 60 mm diameter vertical tubes with axial spacing is implemented. The attractiveness of the facade stands out best in the twilight when a concert is taking place in the chamber hall. Then the facade actively changes its colours in accordance with the musical production. The dark grey substrate of the tubular facade is ideal for this purpose.
Not only the University of Ostrava, but also the city of Ostrava itself gained an attractive and dignified facility for an interesting field of education, but also a place where the general public can find new premises for sports and cultural activities. Let us add that the author of the architectural design of the Cluster of Art and Design was Kamil Mrva Architect, s.r.o., the project design was carried out by Studio Kania, a. s. The general contractor of the construction was IMOS Brno and IPS Třinec.