Modular unit successfully served as a temporary waiting room during the closure of the main train station in Brno

The planned closure of the main train station complicated travel for residents of Brno for several months. The Office of the Architect of the City of Brno, led by architect Michal Sedláček, decided to enhance the situation for travelers by installing a modular assembly near the Lower Station. Considering the temporary nature of the entire concept, portable modules were the ideal solution. Inspiration came from similar projects aimed at revitalizing neglected parts of the city, such as Manifesto in Florence in Prague, but also in London, Lisbon, Sydney, and other short-term projects. For the required purposes, the city architect's office chose previously proven modules from KOMA.

New Social and Cultural Space

The temporary waiting area project aimed not only to ease the then-complicated traffic situation in Brno but also to present a new vision for the city's development, providing space for stopping, resting, and even culture. An angular wing consisting of eight modules was created over approximately 300 square meters, forming a waiting area with information for travelers, a café, and exhibition and sales spaces. Thanks to the composition of individual CITY modules, an attractive place emerged near the Lower Station, bringing a new impulse to the district. At the same time, the project represented a first step toward the planned construction of the modern Brno district Trnitá. One of the modules also featured a large architectural model of this new district along with the new train station.

The project also included modifications to the adjacent area of the waiting area. The hardened surface designated for outdoor seating with umbrellas allowed food trucks to be stationed there as well. Thanks to landscaping modifications, perennial flowerbeds and potted trees beautified the environment. The temporary waiting area not only visually and functionally revived the previously neglected forecourt but also created an interesting cultural and social space. During last summer, the spaces near the Lower Station served, for example, for the screening of summer cinema.

Small Modular Architecture as Part of a Living City Organism

The Brno waiting area project demonstrates another effective use of modules for temporary buildings, where the modular assembly serves its purpose only for a designated time and then the individual modules can be easily transported to another location. Modular construction represents a possible path for permanent, provisional, or mobile additions to the city's organism. With their variability and timeless aesthetics, CITY Modules offer a wide range of uses.