Omar Harb

advisor

USEK - Holy spirit University of Kaslik

Lebanon

As an architect and founder of Omar Harb Architects & Associates, my work centers on creating… more

Project ID 9182, titled "Obnova staré školy ve Všechovicích" (Restoration of the Old School in Všechovice), focuses on the adaptive reuse of a historic educational building into a cultural and administrative hub. The project uniquely integrates an official municipal office with an exhibition space dedicated to the famous architect and Všechovice native, Bohuslav Fuchs.

Based on the project's specific components—the historic renovation, the modern steel-and-glass extension, and the functional mix—here is a professional evaluation and suggestions for improvement to align with the Inspireli jury's standards.

1. Project Evaluation
A. Dialogue Between Old and New

Strengths: The use of a modern steel skeleton and a lightweight glass envelope for the extension creates a clear "architectural honesty." It allows the historic brick structure of the old school to remain the protagonist while the new addition serves as a functional "umbilical cord" for accessibility (elevator and stairs).

Critical Review: Jurors often look for how the new structure "touches" the old. If the glass addition is too massive, it might overwhelm the modest scale of the village school. The transparency is a good choice, but the reflection of the glass can sometimes hide the historic facade rather than highlighting it.

B. Functional Zoning

Strengths: Effectively separating the "official" (Municipal Office) from the "cultural" (Bohuslav Fuchs Exhibition) via the central staircase is a smart programmatic move. Utilizing the ceremonial hall as a lecture room for the nearby new school ensures the building remains a "living" part of the community, not just a static office.

Critical Review: The multi-functional use of the ceremonial hall (for 40 people) is excellent, but the jury will look at the acoustics and privacy. Can a municipal wedding or a serious council meeting happen simultaneously with a noisy school lecture or a public exhibition next door?

C. Technical and Environmental Execution

Strengths: Mentioning the "IPN" steel profiles and reinforced concrete piles shows a high level of technical preparedness. The inclusion of external blinds/louvers on the glass extension is a vital response to the "greenhouse effect" of glass facades.

I. Narrative Refinement: "The Fuchs Legacy"
Suggestion: Since the project honors Bohuslav Fuchs (a pioneer of Czech Functionalism), the architecture of your addition should subtly reflect his principles—lightness, rhythm, and flow.

Refinement: In your project description, explicitly link your design choices to Fuchs's work. For example: "The transparency of the new extension reflects Fuchs’s commitment to the democratization of space and the interplay between interior and exterior." This connects your design more deeply to its cultural purpose.

II. Enhancing the "Fifth Facade" (The Roof)
Suggestion: The description mentions the glass addition has a partially glass and partially sheet-metal roof.

Refinement: Be careful with glare and maintenance. If the school is in a residential area, the reflection from a large glass roof can be intrusive. Consider using matte-finished zinc or a green roof on the opaque sections to improve the thermal mass of the extension and integrate it better with the rural landscape of Všechovice.

III. Material Transition and Tactility
Suggestion: The interior uses white lime plaster and epoxy floors—very clean, but perhaps "cold."

Refinement: To honor the "school" history, consider introducing warm materials in the transition zones (where the old wall meets the new glass). Using reclaimed wood from the old school's original roof trusses for benches in the exhibition area or for the main desk in the Municipal Office would add a layer of "material memory" that jurors love.

IV. Technical Documentation for Archicad/Chaos Prizes
Refinement: If you are competing for the technical prizes:

BIM Detail: Show a 1:20 detail of the junction where the steel IPN profile meets the historic masonry. This is the most difficult part of the project; showing a clean, waterproof, and thermally insulated connection here proves your technical expertise.

Lighting Study: In your renders (Lumion/V-Ray), show the building at twilight. A glowing glass box next to a solid, lit-up historic building is a powerful image that highlights the "bridge" between the village's past and its future.

V. Public Realm Integration
Suggestion: The project focuses on the building, but the "barrier-free" entry from the northwest needs to be more than just a ramp.

Refinement: Design the surrounding landscape to act as an "outdoor gallery." If there are other famous natives of Všechovice, their stories could be told through pavement patterns or outdoor signage that leads visitors from the street into the building.
21.01.2026