Ecocentre

Ecocentre Krtek

In 2014, we opened a new Krkonoše Environmental Education Centre (KEEC) in Vrchlabí, which quickly gained the nickname Krtek.

The author of the building is Ing. arch. Petr Hájek (www.hajekarchitekti.cz). Thanks to its shape and workmanship, it has become a center of attention for architects, designers, builders and the rest of the public. The building itself is inconspicuous from the outside and therefore not a competitor to the centuries-old castle, the former Augustinian monastery or the Krkonoše National Park Administration building in its immediate vicinity. The shape of the KEEC Krtek is based on the topology of the Krkonoše Mountains, but it will be difficult for the average visitor to find the range relief in the building. To find the connection between the Krtek building and the Krkonoše Mountains, it is necessary to crack the so-called Hájek Code, a new programme for second graders and older students, as well as families, either with or without children.

The KEEC Krtek has a lecture hall for about 80 people (including 2 to 5 wheelchair users) equipped with state-of-the-art presentation and recording technology, a small laboratory for 16 students with microscopes and stereoscopes, a small gallery and a library. Heating is provided by a heat pump.

Regular tours are free of charge on Tuesdays from 3 to 5 pm.
Other dates are possible by agreement according to the next program on tel.: 499,456,119) or the e-mail address: krtek(at)krnap.cz.

KEEC Krtek received the following prestigious awards:

• Honorable Mention for the realization in the international competition for ecological architecture in Ferrara for the year 2015
• Award for the best architectural realization of the Czech Republic 2014
• Building of the Year Award of the Hradec Králové Region 2014
• European Piranesi Award – Honorable Mention 2014