Previous state
Operative from 1880 until 1965, the former municipal slaughterhouse in Ostrava, Czech Republic, was in a state of ruin after decades of neglect and deterioration. In response to protests against its partial demolition, the city acquired the buildings in 2016 and called for entries in an architectural competition for its renovation.
By then, many of the buildings had gone. The dilapidated remains of the slaughterhouse with large holes in the walls were surrounded by fences and wild plants were randomly taking over the site.
Aim of the intervention
The project’s idea was to benefit from the original openings of the slaughterhouse to connect it with the city and turn it into an art gallery. The accesses were to be used to open exhibitions to the outside. Another objective was to transform the contaminated ground into a park with green spaces for residents and a garden as part of the exhibition. Artists, residents, and people connected with the gallery took part in the design of an inclusive space complete with plants, benches, and artistic installations.Description
The project is based on the functionality of the openings, used as access points to connect the building with the city. The new grilles can rotate to open the exhibition rooms to the outside in such a way that they become a covered extension of public space. The design of the exterior spaces is similar to that of the building, without denying its history and also preserving its chaotic, untamed feel. In fact, the vegetation traces the original lines of the slaughterhouse installations. The contaminated soil was treated and replaced with a biodiverse park with permeable soil, natural water retention, and flower meadows.
A permaculture garden was also created as part of the exhibition. This led to the emergence of an inclusive space with the idea of promoting sensitivity to art and the environment. The addition of edible plants completes the transformation. The building has two main entrances and visitors, wherever they come from, will always find an open door, symbolising the receptive nature of the building and of the gallery as an institution.
Assessment
With the preservation of a protected building, the activities of the gallery extended to the surrounding space, and this once abandoned area was thus recovered for the city and its inhabitants. The planning of the life of the park is a long process, taking years, all in its own time in accordance with the rhythm of the growth of its plants. The most important result is that a community of people who are actively caring for the park has formed around the gallery. The aseptic feeling often associated with art galleries has been replaced here with a participative activity in which the process itself and community involvement are key elements. And this feeling is also applied inside the gallery with its desire to be open to the public and avoid any perception that it is an elitist place.[Last update: 04/06/2025]
