The landscape as an exhibition space, water as the exhibit, that is the fundamental of the House of Water competition design. Water is displayed in its natural state belonging to the landscape. Water is seen as a part of natural environment, not artificially presented inside the building.
The House of water is a museum of water and water use situated nearby Želivka reservoir. Želivka is currently main source of water for city of Prague covering approximately 75 % of water consumption. Because of the protective zones around the reservoir it became to be an important ecological system with wide range of animal and plant species. This uncommon ecological diversity is to be displayed in an open-air exhibition area occupying all the plot. This natural space is divided into several zones representing different biotopes from close surroundings of the reservoir. These micro-zones are connected by the system of paths where visitors have the opportunity to learn and understand the value of Želivka region and the key role of water.
On the top of the sloping exterior exhibition there is a „flying“ roof designed to be visually detached from the ground. This only architectural element is dominating the area having certain iconic quality. The area underneath the roof divided from its surroundings by glass walls is representing the human element in the landscape. Temporary exhibition space is in here. The permanent exibition is situated underground. These two spaces are connected by enormous aquarium displaying the water life in Želivka.
