In the Zlín Čiper's villa, there will be a cultural and creative center after the reconstruction

Zlín - The councilors of the Zlín Region approved the reconstruction of Čiperova Villa in Zlín. A cultural and creative center will be created there, expected to be completed by autumn 2025, Jan Vandík from the regional communication and external relations department informed ČTK today. Artists, representatives of cultural organizations, and students of art schools will meet there. The region also wants to make the villa and the adjacent park accessible to the public.

"There is no space in our region that would allow concentration of activities focusing on education in areas important for creative industries, such as applied arts, design, audiovisual arts, glassmaking, or woodworking. This will change with the establishment of a new cultural and creative center in Čiperova Villa. It will serve to connect partners from the cultural, artistic, and educational spheres with the creators themselves – designers, artists, and cultural organizers," stated councilor Zuzana Fišerová (Pirates).

The villa is planned to host an exhibition of Zlín architecture from the first half of the 20th century, including artistic and educational activities from the regional gallery, as well as the Čipera Institute for education, development, and creative activities.

The plan includes a complete reconstruction of the building, new floor layouts, technical installations, and the addition of new furniture to the interior. A lift is also proposed, connecting all floors of the house. Construction work will also concern the outdoor terrace and gazebo, gardener's house, paved areas, fencing, and an entrance gate. Landscaping improvements are also planned.

"Work is expected to begin in the middle of next year, with completion by autumn 2025. The total costs will reach 187 million crowns, of which 100 million should be covered by a grant from the National Recovery Plan," said councilor Zbyněk Fojtíček (ODS). The operation and sustainability of the cultural and creative center will be managed by the Tomáš Baťa Institute, a contributory organization of the region. Currently, the building is managed by the Counseling and Crisis Center, which will be moving to new premises.

The architecturally valuable villa of Dominik Čipera, former director of the Baťa company, Zlín mayor, and Czechoslovak minister, was built in 1942 according to a design by architect Vladimír Karfík. Since 1947, the building has served as a children's home, and currently, there is a facility for children requiring immediate assistance. In 2002, the villa with the garden was listed in the Register of Immovable Cultural Monuments.