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Galerie Harfa

Facts and Figures
Company PORR a.s. in consortium with Metrostav a.s.
Principal C & R Developments, s.r.o. (Lighthouse Group)
Location Prague - Czech Republic
Type Shopping centres
Runtime 05.2009 - 11.2011

Shopping centre with LEED Gold certification.

The Galerie Harfa shopping centre and office building is located in a former industrial area of Prague–Vysočany, near the multi-functional 02 Arena. The construction was realised in a joint venture with Metrostav.

This building is unique in that it combines a shopping and leisure centre with an office building. The shopping centre provides 42,000m2 of commercial space and a direct connection to the 02 Arena. The complete construction project was erected on a triangular site with a surface area of 32,000m2.

The load-bearing construction was designed with reference to the architectural, functional and economic aspects of the entire building, as well as the structural analysis requirements and implementation as a monolithic reinforced concrete framework with partially pre-stressed joists.

One of the distinctive features of this project was the combination of numerous façade types, so that the building looks quite different from each side. In the direction of Českomoravská Street, the façade was printed with an image featuring a black-and-white depiction of trees reminiscent of the typical Czech landscape.

The shopping centre differs from others in that it is clearly arranged around three commercial arcades. This helps customers to find their way around the complex. The triangular foundation area of the shopping centre is criss-crossed by so-called squares. Two of the squares, located at the main entrances on Českomoravská and Ocelářská Streets, feature raised oval glass roofs.

A striking element has been constructed on the north-western façade, along Ocelářská Street: a ramp that optically links the area in front of the main Ocelářská Street entrance with the green roof.

Food courts on the top floor with seating arrangements on the bridges provide visitors with a unique view of the green roof, which is designed as a public-access park offering various recreation and entertainment possibilities. These include a children's playground, dinosaur park, ice-skating rink and a park with water elements. 

Directly connected to the shopping centre is an impressive office building incorporating almost 20,000m2 of lettable area. The office building comprises east and west wings with a connecting central building. The west wing is lower than the east wing by one storey, and the top floor has been constructed in steps. The roof of the west wing contains a terrace.

This includes another example of the interesting and unconventional execution of the façade: a modular design glass façade. The individual modules, measuring 2.7m x 3.5m, were prefabricated and attached to the prepared construction with the aid of a crane. This method made it possible for the glazing of the 13-storey property to be completed within three months. The floor plan of the office building offers a high degree of flexibility, from spacious open-plan offices to individual office spaces. All areas are completely climate-controlled.