The reconstruction of the listed Sokol building in Krnov will cost 52 million CZK

Krnov - The reconstruction of the architecturally protected Sokolovna in Krnov, in the Bruntál region, is expected to be completed by mid-2025. The costs are around 52 million crowns. Dita Círová, the city spokesperson, informed CTK today. The Sokolovna, built in 1933, was designed by Krnov native architect Leopold Bauer.

Construction work began last October. The builders have already managed to secure the building structurally. “The measures involved tensioning the building with cables to prevent cracking of the walls and structures, or strengthening the load-bearing beams of the roof. Currently, the load-bearing capacity of the reinforced concrete ceiling structure in the last floor, where the air conditioning room is to be located, is being addressed,” stated Pavel Andrle from the investment department of the Krnov city hall.

Workers removed the facade from the street side. It was in such poor condition that even conservationists agreed to its removal. However, the old facade will gradually be removed from almost the entire structure. Only parts will be preserved to create a new facade based on them.

Builders are also working inside the building. “We are constructing partition walls on the ground floor, laying water and sewage pipes, and addressing the dampness of the walls. When we removed the floors, we found that the building is very damp, and it will be necessary to perform waterproofing,” said Jan Hojgr, a representative of the construction company. Measures against dampness involve excavation around the perimeter of the Sokolovna and waterproofing of the outer walls, while injection of the masonry is planned for the internal walls.

The sports hall is a compactly preserved monumental modernist reinforced concrete structure with a rectangular floor plan and outdoor terraces, covered with a gable roof with dormers. It was built between 1932 and 1933 according to the design by architect Leopold Bauer, a Krnov native and a student of the Vienna Wagner School.

"The building features motifs inspired by the shape of a ship, such as pipe railings, open staircases, and small windows in the rounded wall. The ground floor houses a small hall with facilities, while the first floor contains a large hall. The structure is unique in that the vast majority of elements and construction details have been preserved in their original form,” noted Círová. According to her, the authenticity is enhanced by the original gym equipment embedded, such as rings or climbing frames.