A reminder of the relationship between the history of mining and the future vision of “green” approaches to the use of energy, located near the visitor centre in the Brounfield in Trojanovice – Frenštát Mine (CÉRKA project).
The main idea of the project is to preserve the three original concrete water ponds and transform them into public water areas for people to use. The aim is to bring life to the site with water elements. The second idea is to commemorate the past of the site, to create a memento of coal mining by means of four metal sculptures of miners who are placed by the water ponds and interact with the water – washing off the dirt of the past, refreshing themselves.
The individual tanks are set in grassy areas and are accessed by footpaths that meander through the site. The original ponds have been partially filled in so that they are only 15 cm deep and therefore do not need to have railings around them. Another important aspect is the integration of greenery into the space, which should give the impression of nature taking back the industrial site. Specifically, this includes the way the paving is connected to the lawn, the omission of paving for tree growth or the backfilling of part of the reservoir with soil.
Concrete is used within the public space for the tanks, concrete paving and gravel paths. The drinking fountains and water gate at the first tank are metal with an anthracite finish. The statues of the miners are made of black wires, and where the miners are washed with water they are ‘cleaned’ and have a silver colour.
CONCRETE POND 1
This is the smallest pond in the area near the western mining tower. Opposite the shorter side of the tank a metal gate is designed, from which faint trickles of water gush out, under which the first statue of the miner washes himself with outstretched arms. The water then runs down the pavement into the pond.
CONCRETE POND 2
The second pond is located by the eastern mining tower and in its present state is divided into two smaller sections by a partition. The proposal is for one half of the tank to be completely backfilled, creating an area with two drinking fountains, one of which will be occupied by a statue of a miner washing his face. The other drinking fountain will remain free for the use of passers-by. Narrow troughs rippling through the pavement lead from the drinking fountains and drain into the pond. Between the drinking fountains three trees are planted, whose crowns create a pleasant shade.
CONCRETE POND 3
The third and largest pond is located at the first major crossroad at the entrance to the site. In its present state, the pond is divided into two smaller parts and one larger part. The proposal is to retain the two smaller parts, which will be elevated 45 cm above the ground, from which a small waterfall will flow into the third part. This one will be partially backfilled to create a small beach, which will smoothly turn into a lawn. A small square is created in front of the pond, which can be used as an important pedestrian crossroads and as a meeting place. The square is connected to the reservoir by three steps, on which a miner is about to enter the pond. Another statue of a miner sits relaxed on the edge of the waterfall between the smaller and larger parts of the pond.
