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the Second Tower of
St Bartholomew’s Cathedral in Plzeň
The hypothetical design of the second tower of the cathedral allows for the construction of the tower outside of the original ground plan of the cathedral, and its concept is based on the principles of opposition – the principle of contrasts.
The historical building is complemented with the elements of modern construction practice, while the design puts into contrast the composition, mass and material aspects of the original and the new building. All the while, it respects the canon of the town square's spacious area.
Our design of the new tower works with a simple geometrical ground plan, moved 12 meters south from the original building. By the individual positioning of the new tower, we intend to highlight the material contrast regarding the ground plan, and by its slender shape, we emphasise the vertical composition line regarding the view.
Construction of the new tower is subtle, and we want to keep the building as light as possible; this will also be achieved thanks to the facade designed to consist of steel perforated by a geometrical raster. The perforation of the facade is based on the regular rhythm of equally sized equilateral crosses.
A cross was used not only for its universal symbolism in religion, but especially as a symbol of the principle of contrast - the horizontal line represents the surface of the water, stability, balance, or yin female energy. From an esoteric point of view, the female principle yin is connected with darkness, black colour, and the moon. In opposition to that, the vertical line is the symbol of a sunbeam touching the earth, the symbol of a deity. The vertical line represents the male active yang principle, dynamic force, and the principle of defiance.
The cross is also used in connection with St. Bartholomew, as it was one of his attributes. Just like in the contrast rules of yin and yang, female and male, dark and light, our design too functions as a complement and a counterweight to the original tower. That is why we used the plural in the name of the project - Pilsen towers - which emphasises this principle of contrast duality (one without the other would not mean anything).
