Construction of an extension on a panel building in Brno-Bystrc

The extensions of panel houses soon became a frequent architectural assignment after the revolution. In Brno, the first attempts were made in one of the oldest panel settlements in Juliánov, followed by others - Líšeň and Lesná (against which architect Viktor Rudiš fought, but lost his battle). Based on test samples, companies expanded their production range to include prefabricated regeneration elements - mainly self-supporting attached or suspended balconies, insulation became a necessity, and facade paints flowed freely. The reconstruction boom is accompanied by specialized magazines or competitions for the best facade, etc. Over time, the area of panel house reconstructions became trivialized into a superficially appealing colorful extravaganza.
A bright exception is the work of architect Markéta Veselá in the Brno settlement of Bystrc, which is among the youngest in the Moravian metropolis. Despite the regulations of the Bystrc city hall, the extensions turned out excellently. Unfortunately, the initial parasitic concept was disrupted by an incomprehensible demand for a gable roof.
The most suitable buildings for the extensions, due to efficient parking, were selected on Černého street. An elevator was installed in the prepared space, and the building from 1977 gained two additional floors. A steel skeleton with aerated concrete infill was placed on the existing precast concrete structure and offered new residents unforeseen horizons. A complete regeneration of the existing building also took place, transforming the gray mouse into a sleek apartment building. The standard of construction work and the materials used is high, thanks to the generosity of the investor-developer. He chose quality at the expense of maximum profit. The implementation of extensions currently generates further interest in housing without him having to advertise or offer his new projects through advertising agencies.

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Tornado in Bystrc

"I call it a tornado", explains a somewhat tipsy older man to his colleague at the trolleybus terminus in Brno-Bystrc, pointing to the recently completed project by Ing. arch. Markéta Veselá on Černého street. "Well, because it looks like a panel house after a tornado, every piece is different, or at least it looks that way", he adds for the bewildered, and I realize that he is actually describing what other people - the tenants of the building or those who saw it from the tram - find so appealing about the new building. Personally, I have finally found a scale by which I can form a clear and honest opinion about panel house extensions in the area. Previously, I felt that if a person simply "doesn't understand" these things, they cannot hold any strong opinions, lest they end up like this man with a tornado, trying so hard to express his competence in matters of taste and succinct, concise phrasing.

I believe that Markéta Veselá has shown in Bystrc that it is possible to carry out so-called modernization cleanly, beautifully, and practically, surprisingly and unobtrusively. That it is possible to create something new through the reconstruction of a panel house, without negating, masking, or ironizing the original building.

"I don't call it a panel house", concludes the man at the bus stop and boards the trolleybus. And I felt relieved - thank goodness he doesn't call it that! I call it an original work of art, in which people live and which is a joy to discover when visiting the city's periphery.

Yes, I have known Markéta and her talent and hard work personally for a long time. Yes, I live in that building no. 52. Yes, I know that its artistic concept is partly derived from the motif of four letters from the title of an experimental rock double album. Nevertheless, I do not hesitate to loudly praise the Bystrc "tornado," which turned my ideas about the aesthetics of estates upside down.

We all rejoiced here last year that the construction work was behind us and now we could finally enjoy the peace and serenity in our natural area near the reservoir. However, neighbors from the nearby area, as you can see, have longed for similar extensions. They also want to expand upward, since we succeeded in it... Now the Bystrc paradise has turned into one large construction site.

I look out the window as one of these projects slowly obscures my view of the hillside of the game preserve, where a white fallow deer grazes, accompanied by a herd of does - really, I'm not making this up! Well, what can be done. I am left with the poetry of shapes and colors of Markéta Veselá, playful but unsentimental, strong, durable.