The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who seek them
Nationale-Nederlanden Building – Prague (Dancing House)
Prague’s historic district has long been a broad mix of epic styles carefully watched over by the city’s preservationist community. The Nationale-Nederlanden Building’s site, at a crucial corner along the Vltava River, was a challenging context for Gehry’s dancing towers.
Guided through the local political scene by Vladimir Milunic, his collaborative architect, Gehry was able to create a joyous landmark carefully aligned with its nineteenth-century neighbours. The glass enclosed tower is pinched in at its waist to allow residents of the adjacent building a view across the river.
The 62,800-square-foot building projects toward the bridge at its corner. The glass tower forms a covered colonnade and a canopy over the main entrance. The group floor has a cafe and several commercial spaces. A roof-level restaurant tops the six office floors. The dome atop the enclosed tower is formed of steel mesh strips.
