Zprávy památkové péče 2022, 82(4):589-595
Survey of the opaxite tile facade of the Grand Hotel in Pardubice
- 1 NPÚ, Generální ředitelství v Praze
- 2 Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická v Praze
The article presents the results of a survey carried out as part of the restoration of the former Grand Hotel in Pardubice, now the Grand Business and Administrative Centre. Samples of original glass tiles from the exterior cladding were examined on the functionalist building, which was built in 1927 according to Josef Gočár's design. The northern façade and the ground floor of the building are clad with panes of repeated glass, so-called opaxite, which were largely replaced by ceramic tiles during the last reconstruction (1997-2000). As a result, the façade has a disjointed appearance. Opaxite is no longer commonly produced and is being lost due to degradation. The aim was to determine the chemical composition of the tiles and their opacity by detecting the crystalline phase, as this is crucial information for the correct preparation of the glass stem, with the help of which authentic copies of the original tiles can be prepared in the future. The chemical composition of the tiles was determined by X-ray fluorescence and the crystalline phase by diffraction analysis. The research has provided important insights into the composition and lost technological production of opaxite tiles, with the help of which it is possible to restore the tile facade to its original form.
Keywords: Josef Gočár; restoration of tile facade; 20th century; architecture; functionalism; opaxite glass; Grand Hotel
Published: April 12, 2023 Show citation
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