Dominant with an industrial character

The industrially looking multifunctional building on the corner of Komunardů and Přístavní streets in Prague's Holešovice does not hide the unmistakable signature of architect Stanislav Fiala. This exceptional structure, with its distinctive appearance, has become a dominant feature of this dynamic district.

A purely modern multifunctional building that meets the current expectations of contemporary living while respecting the historical industrial character of Prague's Holešovice – this was the brief for the design of the structure that today proudly dominates the surrounding buildings. The new multifunctional building "rose" on the empty site of two apartment buildings that had to be demolished after the floods of 2002. After nearly twenty years, this extraordinary object has closed the disrupted boundary of one of the typical regular blocks found here.

Produced for M&T by COATMEN Production.

The façade of the building visually references the industrial heritage of Holešovice as per the brief. “The concept of the building loosely connects to the former factory across the street, now transformed into an interior design center – Holport. Our intention was to project the distinct character of an almost industrial structure into the new building,” explains architect Stanislav Fiala from the architectural studio FIALA + NĚMEC, designer of the new multifunctional building, and describes: “The sharpness and severity of industrial architecture manifest here in the stark angularity of the object and also reflect in the main supporting concrete pillars metaphorically evoking a rock.” The external industrial character of the building is further supported by rusty corten cladding and irregularly dancing construction rebar. Tall grasses, which soften the face of the house, grow through such formed railings.

In the first two floors, where public spaces of a commercial nature are interconnected by a dominant staircase, the corner of the building is entirely dedicated to the public space of the street. The mass of the corner protrudes above the natural cornice of the building and creates an archetypal corner tower. From the third floor upwards, the building is intended for living. “Considering the character of one of the most dynamic districts in Prague and the palpable urban hustle, we designed the object primarily for smaller apartments targeted at a younger generation of residents. On the highest seventh floor, there are four larger apartments with spacious terraces, two of which have access to the rooftop living area of the building,” says architect Stanislav Fiala.

The blend of industrial and natural character dominates not only the external appearance of the house but also its interior. The characteristic exposed concrete is molded into merging forms reminiscent of a rocky gorge. The gray uniformity is broken by smaller areas of vibrant green, both on the walls and on the entrance doors to individual apartments. A steel mesh serves as an effective and safety element on the staircase, appropriately complemented by a recurring element from the external façade of the building – construction rebar, which here serves the function of a handle.

The motif of rebar, a characteristic signature of the architect, is also present throughout the building on the doors, taking the form of door hardware. The design of the atypical Rocksor hardware was created by the architect himself. “The Rocksor hardware was originally developed for a previous project by architect Fiala – DRN on Národní street. The architect himself designed the aesthetic appearance of the handle, and we provided the solution for the internal mechanism. Through pleasant collaboration, an original collection of hardware was created that refers to the basic building material and fits into industrially themed buildings like this one with its basic functionality and simplicity,” says Roman Ulich, chief designer of M&T, the only Czech manufacturer of design door and window hardware, and adds: “In contrast to its steel prototype, the Rocksor handle is made of solid brass, which will serve its purpose in its natural form for decades.”

The overall industrial appearance of the structure has been intentionally softened by natural greenery, both externally and internally. “We prepared centrally irrigated greenery for the façade, climbing plants that should scale to high levels and partially cover the exposed concrete. It is also abundantly utilized on terraces and balconies, even in the inner courtyard, where a small garden is situated with the potential to grow and provide beneficial shade,” describes architect Stanislav Fiala and concludes: “This greenery is intended to help refresh the street, attract passersby, and suggest to them that they might peek inside, enter, and explore the building…”

Komunardů XXXV

Project: 2012
Implementation: 2020
Built area: 826 m²
Built volume: 17,250 m³
Author: Stanislav Fiala, architectural studio FIALA + NĚMEC s.r.o. (www.fialanemec.com)
Collaboration: Jiří Václavů, Petr Jehlík, Jiří Neumann
Designer: DELTAPLAN spol. s.r.o.
Investor: SEBRE, a.s. + PROPERTY SOLUTIONS, s.r.o.
Suppliers: Hinton, a.s. (general contractor), Tunnel s.r.o., Kučera Miroslav and son Artistic Blacksmithing and Restoration, Pasířství Josef Ryšlavý, Vojtěch Zajíc metallurgy, Abadia, a.s., Bauiq, a.s., Carl Stahl & spol, s.r.o., Mramor Bohemia, s.r.o., Olexton, s.r.o., Spyron s.r.o., M&T s.r.o. (www.kliky-mt.cz)

Photo: Filip Šlapal for M&T