Blanka Tunnel Ventilation Shaft
In 2020, the purely technical structure of the Blanka Tunnel’s ventilation shaft in Prague’s Bubeneč, was transformed into a work of art designed by Federico Díaz.
Client
The City of Prague
Design
Federico Díaz
Completion
2020
Material
HPC, Mineral Paint, EPDM, Stainless Steel
Product
Facade cladding
Location
Prague
In 2020, the purely technical structure of the Blanka Tunnel’s ventilation shaft in Prague’s Bubeneč, was transformed into a work of art designed by Federico Díaz. A total of 176 prefabricated cylindrical concrete panels measuring 130 by 235 centimeters were used for this purpose. These atypical cladding panels are distinguishable due to the delicate convex relief structure, which Federico Díaz artistically enhanced with a blue color. To achieve the expressive nature of the piece, the paint was applied to the panels on-site as part of an artistic performance.
The cladding panels showcase another possibility of robotic fabrication, where the robotic arm carves the desired relief into trays filled with a special sand and oil mixture, which then serve as molds for concrete casting. This method enabled the panels to achieve a complex, intricate structure with heraldic motifs.
