Built in 1991 by architect Michal Brix, the Křižík Pavilions originally served the General Czechoslovak Exhibition, commemorating the centenary of the 1891 Provincial Jubilee Exhibition. Placed strategically near the Industrial Palace, the structures use the sloping terrain to frame the palace as a visual anchor. Though intended as temporary, the pavilions have remained active for over thirty years.
Shifting Toward Multipurpose Use
The revitalization effort sought to extend the pavilions’ function beyond exhibitions. After years of wear, the structures no longer met modern standards. The project introduced technical upgrades and created adaptable interiors to support a range of uses, including trade fairs, cultural events, concerts, and filming.
Interior Transformation
Inside the pavilions, the design team prioritized contrast and clarity. Exhibition walls now feature matte black finishes that draw attention to artworks and installations. Light tones in the sanitary and service zones support easier navigation. Exposed concrete elements stay in place, supported by stainless steel railings and fixtures that reinforce the buildings’ utilitarian tone and industrial roots.
A Public Roof with New Function
Designers turned their focus upward with one of the project’s most defining features: the complete transformation of the roof. What had been a heat-absorbing surface of dark concrete now functions as a publicly accessible space. A combination of intensive green planting, walking paths, and shared amenities redefines how the structure connects with its users. Visitors now find a running track, cafeteria, and recreation areas above the pavilions, an elevated civic platform in the middle of Prague.
Environmental Impact and Cooling
The new roof significantly improves the local climate. Removing about 5,000 square meters of heat-retaining concrete helped reduce the urban heat island effect. The planted roof system slows air movement, traps dust, and increases humidity. During rain, it stores approximately 1,000 cubic meters of water annually, reducing runoff and helping sustain vegetation through drier seasons. These changes support a measurable improvement in air quality and thermal comfort around the site.
A Model for Urban Revitalization
This update turns the Křižík Pavilions into a flexible asset for Prague’s cultural infrastructure. Rather than replacing a structure with short-term use, the project shows how adaptive design can extend value across generations. Visitors experience more than upgraded exhibition halls, they now interact with a space that invites them to gather, pause, or simply pass through with ease. The Křižík Pavilions now operate as more than exhibition spaces. They host cultural exchange on the ground floor and open-air recreation above.
Studio: Výstaviště Praha
Author: Ondřej Píhrt, Štefan Šulek, Ondřej Laciga, Kateřina Luftová, Štěpán Tomš, Matěj Střecha, Vendulka Vaněčková, Pavel Dostal
Original building architect: Michal Brix
Project location: Výstaviště 170 00, 170 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Project year: 2019
Completion year: 2024
Plot size: 7575 m²
Client: Prague City Hall
Photographer: Alex Shoots Buildings
Collaborators and suppliers
Landscape architect: Greenville
Structural engineer: Piada
Technical consultancy: DEKPROJEKT
Fire safety: A1 systém
EZS / EPS: Sára servis
Smoke and heat extraction: Colt International
Greenery and irrigation supply: Pražské služby
Construction of Pavilions: Konsit
Roof construction including surfaces: Tost
