Czech Republic From textile factory to a cultural hub

Pearl Gallery presents itself as the city’s new contemporary art hub, expanding its existing cultural infrastructure and forming a new creative environment. The project will reflect CHK’s commitment to preserving architectural heritage, refurbishing and upcycling existing urban fabrics, with the aim of paving the way for a new cultural identity of the city.

The city announced a competition to create a fresh new vision for the city centre. Following a decline in the textile industry during the 20th century, the former Pearl factory was shut down in 2009, and demolished in 2017. Only the three historic buildings remained - a production building designed by renowned Czech architect Pavel Janák, an office extension of the block, and a machine building from the 19th century. In reconceptualizing the restoration of the factory’s remains, CHK divided the existing mass into two buildings, providing the future gallery with multiple functions, and creating new public pathways and spaces between the buildings. Set across 3,200 sqm, the newly divided areas will form three exhibition spaces, each carefully designed to fulfil a particular purpose.

As part of its multifaceted cultural expansion, Pearl Gallery will act as a new meeting place for the community. The site will be enhanced by a new public courtyard located at the forefront of the building, united by the café – a link between the vibrant main street and the calming urban interior.