Prague Planetarium enters a new era with unique LED technology
The Prague Planetarium has undergone a major modernization that goes far beyond just replacing its projection equipment. The renovation of the protected building, designed by architect Jaroslav Frágner in the 1950s, was complex. It required removing layers of interventions from recent decades to make way for the installation of revolutionary LED projection technology.
The largest LED screen of its kind in the world
At the heart of the project is a new hemispherical screen from the American company COSM, 22 meters in diameter, with an incredible 45 million pixels. Such a screen of this size and quality does not exist anywhere else in the world. Thanks to it, visitors can experience an immersive spatial illusion with extraordinary color depth and realism.
New auditorium and custom seats
The central Zeiss Jena projector was moved outside the main hall by agreement with heritage conservators, freeing space for a new auditorium design. Architects from the collcoll studio designed a stepped geometric layout that visually lifts the audience above the horizon. Capacity increased by 20% to 277 seats, with spatial arrangement supporting comfortable and safe movement.
The seats were custom-designed with a Czech manufacturer—they are adjustable, ergonomic, and comfortable enough to keep visitors attentive. Acoustic treatment hidden behind the projection dome further enhances the illusion of infinite space.
Future-oriented energy solutions integrated into the historic framework
The installation of new technology required new energy and technical facilities, integrated into the building with maximum respect for its protected structures. Cooling and heat recovery were designed considering the planetarium’s location in the heart of Stromovka park—heat from the screen is stored in six deep wells (each 200 m deep) in summer and used to heat the building in winter. The dome itself has a thermal output comparable to three family houses, so the heat is reused within the building.
A new look for other spaces as well
The renovation also affected the foyer and facilities. The original exhibition at the entrance was replaced by a circular LED screen serving as an additional presentation surface. A newly designed cloakroom separates incoming and outgoing visitor flows, increasing comfort. Over the summer, a new simulator exhibition in the basement will open, and after completing outdoor landscaping, a shop will be established at the new exit. An inappropriately placed ramp will be removed from the adjacent rosarium, simplifying barrier-free access through the shop.
This modernization positions the Prague Planetarium as a world leader in immersive education and culture with its unique LED dome technology, offering visitors an unprecedented visual experience of the cosmos.
Team:
Architects: Coll Coll
Authors: Adam Kössler, Krištof Hanzlík, Libor Mládek, Michal Fousek
Client Observatory and Planetarium of Capital City Prague
Project management: CManagement [Arnošt Táborský, Dan Kouba]
Technical supervisor: Jiří Cís
Energy management: TO SYSTEM [Jaroslav Smejkal, Jakub Janďourek],
Ventilation: Atrea [Barbora Paříková, Zdeněk Zikán]
Cooling: Michal Ježek
Structural engineer: Štěpán Thondel
Lighting concept, electricity: sysloop engineering [Miroslav Frolec, Anatolyi Obryn]
Accoustic design: Aveton [Dominik Cvetler]
Accoustic consultation: Petr Roll
Accoustic insulation: A.W.A.L. [Kateřina Volšíková]
Fire safety: Ilona Muziková
Sanitary: TZB-BLOCK [Jan Smrček]
Server room: Altron [Jakub Odlas]
Power line connection: Pring [Jan Vočko]
Geothermal wells: Gerotop [Tomáš Kuchta]
Landscaping: her architecture [Alice Boušková]
Geodetic survey: Pavel Keprta, Jan Kopecký
LED projection technology: Cosm
Dome structure: Spitz
LED technology, projection software: Evans & Sutherland
Demolition and site preparation: Technical department of the Planetarium
Building works: Rextron
Steel structure: Karel Krejčíř
Seats fabrication: Kinoexport
LED lighting: sysloop engineering
LED screen foyer: Loko Trans Media
Electricity: Galenit
Environmental controls, ventilation: Bohemik
Heating: Regulterm
Measurement and control: STIFRA Plzeň
ICT: Sistel
Ventilation: Crotherm
Scaffolding: Peri Up
Geotermal boreholes: Artemia
Photographer: BoysPlayNice
Materials Used:
Auditorium construction: CETRIS
Carpet: Fletco
Double floor: Lindner
Acoustic insulation: Isover
Cladding: Swisspearl
Seat base: Corian
Upholstery: Sidogras
Upholstery: Spradling
Skirting: Resko Tachov
LED profiles: KLUŚ
Cladding: Ducta
Door: Lukor interiéry
Door: Lexa & Kruzik
Construction adhesives: Hilti
Facade adhesives: Sika
Sockets: JUNG
Floor sockets: Legrand
Fire escape door: Sapeli
