Lovers of architecture and unique technical devices will be able to visit the historic premises and state-of-the-art electrical engineering laboratory at the FEE CTU. "Our faculty is a place where technical tradition is combined with research for the future. I am delighted that through the Open House Prague festival we can show the public not only an architectural gem such as Santini's Chapel, but also the cutting-edge technologies developed by our researchers and students," says Prof. Petr Páta, Dean of the FEE CTU. Both extraordinary places will also be brought closer to the public through expert commentary.
Santini's Chapel in reality and virtually
The uniqueness of the tour of Santini's Chapel is further enhanced by the opportunity to use a digital 3D model created under the supervision of Dr. David Sedláček from the Department of Computer Graphics and Interaction at FEE CTU. Visitors will be able to use augmented and virtual reality to view the interior of the chapel and compare it with its current appearance. The virtual model was created based on detailed 3D scanning and serves not only as an educational aid, but also as a tool for monument documentation and the planned reconstruction. In combination with a website and a haptic model for the blind, it will enhance the experience of the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre in Zderaz, Prague 2, which was designed by architect Jan Blažej Santini Aichel more than three hundred years ago. Santini's chapel is located in the rear courtyard, normally accessible only to faculty staff, and the work of this important architect is open to the public on special occasions.
Technology for the future
FEE CTU has participated in Open House Prague regularly since its inception, and this year will be its eleventh time. Traditionally, visitors are taken to the high-voltage laboratory, where, in addition to the interior architecture of the building and technical equipment, visitors can watch a series of fascinating experiments with electrical discharges. At the CTU campus in Dejvice, the team eForce Prague Formula will present its autonomous electric single-seater. Students from FEE and other CTU faculties compete with this car in the international Formula Student competition and are among the best in Europe.
About the Open House Prague festival
Open House Prague is part of the international Open House Worldwide network and will take place this year from May 12 to 18, 2025. The highlight of the festival will be the weekend opening of 125 normally inaccessible buildings throughout Prague. The motto of this year's edition is "Heritage of the Past, Challenges of the Future." Admission to the tours is free, with no registration required. For more information, visit www.openhousepraha.cz.
