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Article from issue 5/2004 »Staircases and Lifts«

Hotel Josef in Prague

documentation p. 502 - 505
Architect AI - Design | Eva Jiricna Architects | Structural Engineer Recoc |

Drafts
1:10 Underside/Elevation/Section of staircase
1:50 Elevation and plan of foyer staircase
1:750 Floor plans/Section

One of the few newly built hotels in the historic centre of Prague, the “Josef” comprises two blocks that enclose a quiet courtyard. Perhaps the most distinctive architectural feature is the spiral staircase that rises from the lower ground floor to the foyer. The sculptural character of the stairs is accentuated by the dematerialized construction, which allows light to penetrate to the conference area. The treads consist of a layer of silicate glass with a low iron content, which facilitates boring and provides greater edge strength. In the event of breakage, the glass is supported by a layer of perspex. The trussing on the underside serves to reduce the thickness of the treads. The balustrade acts as a lattice girder.