Entrance to the arcade

The original access to the arcade from Slovanské Square in Trutnov’s historic centre consisted of a steep staircase. The brief, which emerged from a participatory budget vote, was to create a comfortable, accessible solution.
We propose a sensitive intervention in the public space, in which the new staircase and ramp form a harmonious whole with the existing building without denying their contemporary identity.
The quarter-circle shape of the staircase naturally connects to the adjacent pedestrian crossing. Based on a precise topographical survey, its geometry was designed so that the bottom step maintains a uniform height along its entire length, meeting the surrounding paving seamlessly. The ramp runs uphill, allowing its length to be minimised.

Materiality
The arcade is paved with sandstone in various sizes and laying patterns. The new elements are made from solid blocks of Božanov sandstone from the nearby Broumov region. Given the fragility of the material, the slender steel railing is anchored laterally into the concrete foundation to avoid damaging the stone blocks. Made from thin flat steel bars, the railing resembles a delicate line drawing that almost disappears when viewed head-on, yet its structural design ensures sufficient stability.