Part of the charm of Prague’s historic city centre lies in its architectural diversity, concealing hidden courtyards and gardens behind ornate façades. One such gem is the Old Town Court, a courtyard dating back to the latter half of the 15th century. Here, a comprehensive transformation has taken place: four historic buildings have been meticulously restored and a new building has been added. The restoration respects the centuries-long urban evolution, while the new addition introduces a contemporary layer to the architectural ensemble. For this new residential building, Metadecor realised an organic façade using MD Designperforation.

The transformation of Old Town Court

Ricardo Bofill (1939–2022), the Barcelona-based architect commissioned for the project, described Old Town Court as “a vivid testimony to the architectural evolution of Prague.” The newly constructed building, which houses twelve luxury private residences, marks a new chapter in the life of the courtyard and offers a state-of-the-art living experience. Each of the twelve apartments has been designed with its own unique identity.

A dynamic aluminium façade

Metadecor was involved not only during the design phase of the project, but also took on the full production and installation of the façade cladding. An abstract organic pattern, inspired by tree branches and fine marble veining, was carefully translated into perforated aluminium panels. These design perforations create a façade that continuously shifts with the play of light and shadow, acting like a living canvas in dialogue with the surrounding nature.

The façade features electrically operated sliding panels that open and close automatically. Given the large dimensions of these panels, a tailor-made installation approach was required.

At roof level, the panels have been integrated into a folding (harmonica-style) system, allowing them to open on both sides; a functional and visually striking solution.

Precision engineering in a tight space

Installation required a highly inventive approach, as the new building was entirely surrounded by existing structures. The limited space left no room for error, demanding maximum precision. A built-in maintenance system has been incorporated at the top of the façade, consisting of a climbing ladder and abseil rail. This allows for safe and thorough cleaning of the façade by enabling access for a window cleaner to climb up, secure themselves, and work efficiently.

All panels have been invisibly fixed using the MD Resto system, resulting in a calm and cohesive appearance. The final façade strikes a carefully considered balance between aesthetics, functionality and precision engineering.

                                       
                                                                       MD Resto fastening system