The transformation of Josef Gočár’s Automatic Mills into the Gočár Gallery is a compelling case study in adaptive reuse, balancing historic preservation with contemporary functionality. Designed by Gočár in two phases (1910–11 and 1920–24), the mills originally housed grain processing facilities, reflecting early modernist and national style influences. Over the decades, the building underwent various modifications, yet its fundamental spatial logic and brick-clad industrial aesthetic remained intact.
The Gočár Gallery Technical Information
- Architects1-16: TRANSAT architekti
- Location: Automatické Mlýny 1961, 530 02 Pardubice, Czech Republic
- Area: 3,808 m2 | 40,900 Sq. Ft.
- Project Year: 2017 – 2022
- Original Building: 1911
- Photographs: © BoysPlayNice
The project respects the structural and spatial characteristics of the original construction while adapting it for gallery use, meeting high standards for interior climate control, collection security, and sustainable operating costs.
– TRANSAT architekti
The Gočár Gallery Photographs
The Gočár Gallery Spatial and Functional Adaptation
Recognizing the site’s cultural and architectural significance, the Pardubice Region initiated its restoration, relocating the regional gallery from its previous location in Pardubice Castle. TRANSAT Architekti, a studio renowned for its expertise in the conservation and reinterpretation of historic structures, was tasked with transforming this industrial relic into a state-of-the-art exhibition space. The resulting project presents a meticulous intervention that negotiates the delicate balance between respecting the past and accommodating the demands of a contemporary gallery.
One of the defining challenges of repurposing the Automatic Mills was adapting its rigid, industrial layout into a fluid and dynamic space suitable for art exhibitions. The original structure was dictated by the grain processing sequence, with a series of vertically arranged spaces: grain silos, cleaning areas, milling halls, and storage zones. Rather than imposing a foreign spatial logic, the architects retained and celebrated this sequential organization, transforming it into an architectural narrative that guides visitors through the building.
The five-story milling hall, previously the heart of industrial activity, is now the leading exhibition and circulation space. The design preserves the original wooden ceilings and steel support structures, ensuring the building’s industrial memory remains legible. To enhance spatial fluidity, select floors were removed, creating dramatic voids that facilitate vertical connections and introduce an interplay of light and shadow.
Public Interface and Urban Connectivity
While the original complex was inward-facing and optimized for industrial efficiency rather than public engagement, the renovation prioritizes connectivity and permeability. The once-enclosed courtyard has been strategically opened towards the riverfront, integrating the building into the broader urban landscape. The ground floor now features two new passageways that cut through the structure, creating direct pedestrian routes and establishing a visual and physical link between the city and the river.
The new entrance sequence strengthens this urban dialogue. Rather than imposing a grand, monolithic threshold, the architects retained Gočár’s original gateway motif, using it as an access point that subtly guides visitors into the courtyard. The milling hall, positioned between the two passageways, functions as the main entrance hall, reinforcing the axial logic of the original industrial layout.
Materiality and Technical Upgrades
A critical aspect of the renovation was retaining and reinforcing the existing structural framework. The brick facades were carefully restored, maintaining their aged patina, while new fire-resistant steel coverings were introduced to reinforce the existing steel framework without compromising its visual integrity. The project also reinstated Gočár’s original stone staircase, which had been relocated in the 1940s, restoring a key historical element.
Transforming an unheated industrial building into a climate-controlled gallery required a strategic approach. The renovation integrates hybrid ventilation, combining natural airflow with mechanical systems. Skylights fitted with adjustable louvers regulate natural light penetration, protecting exhibited works from excessive exposure. The windows feature double glazing and automated sun-responsive blinds, optimizing daylight control and energy efficiency.
Cultural and Urban Significance
The Gočár Gallery is a model for adaptive reuse, proving that industrial heritage can be preserved while serving contemporary needs. Rather than treating the building as a static artifact, the intervention allows for future modifications, ensuring its continued evolution as a cultural institution.
The newly designed public spaces around the gallery revitalize Pardubice’s urban fabric. The riverfront connection and the integration of cultural programming position the gallery as a dynamic urban hub. The adaptability of the site, including the potential expansion into the adjacent flour silo, ensures that the project remains responsive to future cultural and community needs.
The Gočár Gallery Plans
The Gočár Gallery Image Gallery
About TRANSAT architekti
TRANSAT Architekti is a Czech architectural studio founded in 1997 by Petr Všetečka, specializing in the research, restoration, and transformation of historic buildings. The firm is known for its sensitive approach to adaptive reuse, integrating contemporary functions while preserving architectural heritage. Their work includes landmark projects such as the restoration of Pardubice Castle, the Tomáš Baťa Memorial in Zlín, and the Gočár Gallery in the Automatic Mills, earning them recognition in prestigious architecture awards.
Credits and Additional Notes
- Lead Architect: Petr Všetečka
- Co-authors: Robert Václavík, Karel Menšík, Tereza Novotná
- Design Team: Kajetán Všetečka, Monika Šafářová, Petr Žák
- Structural Engineering: Stabil
- HVAC Engineering: Optimal Engineering
- Fire Suppression System: TRASER
- Lighting Supplier: Etna
- Main Construction Contractors: Association for the Restoration of the Automatic Mills in Pardubice (Metrostav & Chládek & Tintěra)
- Main Interior Contractor: Dřevozpracující výrobní družstvo Jaroměřice
- Windows: Alglas
- Project Country: Czech Republic
- Built-up Area: 827 m²
- Gross Floor Area: 3,808 m²
- Plot Size: 2,446 m²
- Construction Cost: 16 million €
- Client: Pardubice Region
