The historic Prague Planetarium, a cherished 1950s landmark designed by architect Jaroslav Frágner, has boldly catapulted itself into the future. Its sweeping modernization, far exceeding a simple tech upgrade, culminates in the unveiling of the world’s largest LED dome screen – a revolutionary 22-meter hemispherical display transforming celestial exploration. This landmark renovation, meticulously designed by collcoll architects, masterfully balances cutting-edge technology with profound respect for the building’s protected heritage, redefining immersive experience for science and culture.
At the cosmic heart of this transformation lies the extraordinary screen by COSM. Boasting a staggering 45 million pixels across its 22-meter diameter, this LED dome screen offers unprecedented visual fidelity. The extraordinary color depth and realism create an unparalleled spatial illusion, transporting visitors deep into nebulae, across galactic arms, and to the very edges of the observable universe with breathtaking clarity. Such a high-resolution screen of this immense scale and quality is currently unique globally, positioning Prague at the forefront of planetarium technology.
Achieving this feat within a protected structure demanded ingenious architectural solutions. In agreement with heritage conservators, the iconic central Zeiss Jena projector was carefully relocated. This allowed collcoll to completely reimagine the auditorium design. They introduced a striking stepped geometric layout, visually elevating the audience above the horizon line for optimal viewing. Capacity increased by 20% to 277 custom-designed seats, meticulously crafted with a Czech manufacturer. These ergonomic seats are adjustable for comfort, ensuring visitors remain captivated during long cosmic journeys. Complementing the visual spectacle, hidden acoustic treatment behind the projection dome enhances the immersive experience, fostering the sensation of infinite space.
The integration of such powerful technology required equally innovative energy solutions. Recognizing the planetarium’s sensitive location within Stromovka park, the design incorporates advanced sustainability. The immense heat generated by the LED dome screen (equivalent to three family houses) is captured and stored in six deep geothermal wells (each 200 meters deep) during summer. This stored energy is then utilized to heat the building in winter, showcasing a sophisticated heat recovery system seamlessly integrated into the historic framework.
The scope of the Prague Planetarium renovation extends beyond the main hall. The foyer now features a striking circular LED screen for supplementary presentations. A newly configured cloakroomimproves visitor flow, enhancing overall comfort. Accessibility is streamlined, with an inappropriately placed ramp removed from the adjacent rosarium and barrier-free access routed efficiently through a forthcoming shop at the new exit. Further enhancing its educational offering, a new simulator exhibition in the basement is slated to open soon.
More than just a technical marvel, this ambitious modernization firmly re-establishes the Prague Planetarium as a world leader in immersive education and cultural experience. By marrying revolutionary COSM LED technology with sensitive architectural intervention by collcoll, this 1950s icon has been reborn, offering humanity an unprecedented visual experience of the cosmos and securing its legacy for generations to come.