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"Last week HELIKA, a.s. signed a contract with the government of Gabon for preparing an architectural design and building plans for a new basilica. This sacral structure worth some two billion Czech crowns should begin to be erected on one of the hills of the capital city of Libreville during the upcoming two years. After the hospital in Gabon, for which HELIKA has prepared the architectural design and, at the same time, acts as the general planner, the basilica represents the greatest project implemented to date on the African continent by Czech architects.
Prague (February 28, 2008) – Last week HELIKA, a.s. signed a contract with the government of Gabon for preparing an architectural design and building plans for a new basilica. This sacral structure worth some two billion CzecSacral Sacral architecture includes types of structures with a special purpose. They are structures that combine a clear architectural identity with visual arts. The structural solution is a significant means of expression, offering various forms and concepts of the contemporary architecture.
With its ground plan dimensions of 160 by 85 meters, the basilica is typical for its main spire rising up to remarkable 67 meters. "The new basilica project will give the republic of Gabon a spatial structure that has to host some 4,500 people," describes the assignment academic architect Vladimír Kružík, Architecture Division Director. At the same time, its design should express the philosophy and traditional values of the Christian religion. One of the principal means used to express the artistic form is concrete as sculpting material, aiming to present a spiritual philosophy with dynamic forms while respecting the principles of statics. "The bearing structure of the basilica is formed by a reinforced concrete shell – revealed concrete structure that is on the sides supported by a row of white steel columns," explains architect Alena Mocová, the author of the design. The concrete makes it possible to fill the structure with tension that gives the basilica a dynamic appearance, expressing faith using the motif of praying hands. We have selected the materials to allow for their easy maintenance and long life. Concrete mixed with white cement and ground marble has a self-cleaning effect, resistant even to harsh climates.
The space of the cult structure is complemented with light glazing – stained glass patterns that contrast with the white mass of the concrete. Light plays an extraordinary role in sacral structures. Scenographic or staging effects are some of the means of expression applied in the present-day sacral architecture, expressing imaginations, contemplations. The light naturally illuminates the interior and; at the same time, prevents a direct contact with the outer environment, avoiding sun glare. The glazing in the basilica is a technical matter yet also an attractive challenge for artists. In the building interior the light disperses into a range of color shades cast by shafts of sunlight, creating a spiritual space atmosphere. This is for example the same case as in the cathedral in Chartres, one of the most beautiful gothic structures in the world, or in the interior of the contemporary cathedral designed by Oscar Niemeyer in Brasil.
Wooden glued trusses form the roof bearing elements that can be seen from within the building. They span over the longitudinal nave of the basilica. The central piece of the roof is a central copula, an image of the heavenly vault, above which a big cross is suspended. The wooden ribs of the copula structure lean on the reinforced concrete collar beam. Forces are further distributed onto four supports of the reinforced concrete shell. The interior furnishings – in particular seats, will again be made of wood and in the same color shade as the roof bearing truss mesh.
The sacral structure is a place for gathering, liturgy, symbols and mediation. In this case, its architectural design reflects all these purposes under the umbrella structural solution. We live in a period when the latest technologies, accurate execution and new materials allow us to implement new daring solutions. If the requirements are fulfilled, the architectural design will be a testimony of its time, as it has been the case with sacral structures for centuries.
Gabonese Republic (Gabon). The Gabonese Republic is located in Central Africa on the shore of the Guinea Bay. Along the bay shore are large low lands going way deep in the continent. Gabon is rich in natural resources, in particular oil. The total area of this country is 267,667 km2, the population is 1.3 million.
In 1839 France declared a protectorate over the territory of the present-day Gabon, and in late 1800s it put an end to colonialism in the entire Gabon. In 1886 – 1910 Gabon was a part of French Congo and then of French Equatorial Africa, and from 1946 it was a French overseas territory. From 1958 the country was an autonomous republic within the French Commonwealth and in 1960 it eventually became a fully independent country. In 1967 a political regime of a single leading political party was introduced, which followed the pro-Western course in politics and economy. In 1990 a multi-party system was introduced, yet only after the open social unrest in 1994 was formed a government of national unity, in which political opponents also took part. Since 1967 the country’s president has been El Hadj Omar (Albert-Bernard) Bongo. The capital city is Libreville with 180,000 citizens.
The architectural design firm of HELIKA, a.s. has been present in the Czech capital construction project market since 1990. In its area of business, HELIKA has developed into a leading company in the architectural design, planning and engineering of structures and roads. In May 2004 HELIKA expanded into Slovakia and opened its branch office in Bratislava. In June 2007 it became part of the Obermeyer group that does business in architectural design and planning in many countries all over the world.
Our greatest reference projects include the reconstruction of the headquarter building of Czech National Bank in Prague, Na Příkopech street; the construction of a multi-purpose Chodov Centrum in Prague - Jižní Město; the construction of the surgery pavilion in the Military Hospital in Prague – Střešovice; the reconstruction of the Children’s Faculty Hopstial in Prague – Motol; the construction of the Green Valley residential complex in Prague – Kunratice and that of the Sazka Arena multi-purpose sports center in Prague – Vysočany. HELIKA presently acts as the general planner for Nová Karolína, a development project on an area of thirty hectares in the very center of Ostrava. HELIKA is at the same time the architect and general planner of a hospital construction project in Libreville, the capital city of Gabon." (CS della Societŕ)
Nella foto, la nuova chiesa, come sarŕ
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