Signal Space is the first permanent digital art gallery in the Czech Republic. Created under the auspices of the Signal Festival, it will open its doors to the public for the first time on 1 October 2025 at the Old Town Market Hall. The construction management of the project, which took almost two years, was overseen by Savills.
“The idea of opening a world-class gallery had been evolving for several years. The key was to find a suitable space that would meet demanding criteria, most importantly sufficient size and public accessibility. The Old Town Market Hall proved to be the best option – a former supermarket that had stood unused for a long time,” explains Martin Pošta, Founder and Director of Signal Festival and Signal Space.
Architecture and technical challenges
The site was originally a large open space that was reconfigured into eight individual rooms intended for projections. “The main challenge was the building itself, as it is a listed cultural monument, and also the fact that the requirements were gradually adjusted to meet the requirements of specific artworks. Unlike standard projects, this one involved a significantly higher number of stakeholders with diverse demands that had to be reflected throughout the process,” adds Jan Jurčíček, Head of Building & Project Consultancy at Savills. The project also involved international consultants from the UK with experience in similar galleries. Their proposals made it possible to minimize construction interventions – an important factor given that the Old Town Market Hall is a heritage-listed 19th-century building.
Spaces for unique artistic experiences
Signal Space covers a total area of 3,100 sqm, of which the gallery itself occupies 2,500 sqm. The main focus of the refurbishment was on surface adjustments to enhance projections and laser effects.
Key spaces include:
- Immersive Space with newly built projection surfaces,
- Infinity Room with mirrors and a glasswork installation by Preciosa,
- CzechBox, a pure white platform for presenting artworks of young emerging artists,
- Playground, a children’s zone with audiovisual elements, creative games, and a supervised play area.
The gallery also features a café. The entire venue can accommodate up to 425 visitors and has been designed to meet modern safety and fire protection standards.
Savills as a key project partner
Savills was responsible for technical due diligence of selected locations, cost estimation, coordination of project works, engineering, supplier selection, and overall project management, including the role of technical supervision on behalf of the investor. The company also worked closely with Prague City Hall and other relevant public authorities.
Its scope of work included, for example:
- acoustic measurements and building surveys,
- overall fire safety solutions,
- oversight of cabling and server room design and implementation,
- installation of structural elements, speakers, projectors, and calibration technology in cooperation with AV Media.
“The project required a number of tailor-made solutions for the entire building. Thanks to a creative approach, it was possible to create a unique cultural space despite the limited budget. I am very glad we could be part of it,” concludes Jan Jurčíček.