The project of the interior of the Red Church in Olomouc was created in cooperation with the architectural studio Atelier R, which is the author of the reconstruction and design of the new modern extension and its surroundings.
Atelier R invited us to select a more detailed design of interior elements such as lighting, furniture, decoration and custom-made objects, and together we devoted ourselves to the specification of all materials and surfaces.
The church, which was used by the Research Library as a book depository since 1959, functions as a new space for culture and education after the reconstruction. Following on from the original building of the church, a new modern extension was created, which is an inter-spatial link between the church and the library building itself. It is dominated by a reception with a smaller cafe made of concrete in a soft pink shade, which connects to other concrete surfaces of the floor, furniture or walls.
The large surfaces of concrete and glass make the decoration stand out in the form of a large wall filled with old books turned backwards with evening backlighting, and distinctive pendant lamps made of coloured glass by Lamber&Fils, which dominate the space in front of it. Elegant and minimalist coloured glass objects float on robust nylon ropes above the heads of visitors, and at the right angle reflect images of the adjacent street or the old church building. Together, they embrace and define the entire interior.
Visitors can enjoy the meditative atmosphere of the place while sitting on the precise wooden Zeitraum chairs made of solid walnut (which appear both in the church and in the modern foyer area), the Hay plastic chairs of the Bouroullec brothers' brisk design, or the comfortable minimalist armchairs. Cafe tables are custom made, and designed by our studio, and bring inspiration in their detail and material from the elements of the church to the modern extension. Kaia floor lamps resembling modern torches are placed around both spaces and enhance the pleasant atmosphere of the church.
The interior was created in cooperation with the graphic Studio Kosatko, which designed a new graphic identity, an orientation system and a new logo of the Olomouc Research Library.