<div>Přiznaná modularita a kontejnerovost</div> <div>Granted modularity and containerization</div>

Is society in the Czech Republic ready to accept modular constructions that acknowledge their nature in the form of modularity and containerization? Or is there still a prevalent opinion, especially among end users, that container houses are just unattractive bare apartments?

The Vizovice company KOMA, a leading manufacturer of modules and residential containers, has long been dedicated to popularizing modular architecture in the Czech Republic. Thanks to its efforts, modular kindergartens, schools, as well as restaurants, administrative buildings, etc., have begun to appear in the Czech Republic. However, it is evident that, unlike Western Europe, users in the country are not ready to work aesthetically or architecturally with ordinary residential containers, which possess very high qualities particularly in terms of construction speed and cost-effectiveness, easy portability, and expandability. Examples from abroad show us, however, that it takes quite little for buildings to gain another aesthetic dimension.

Public Contracts

It is clear that if there are essential advantages of modular construction—by which I mean speed and price—it is in the public sector, as well as in business, where we can observe additional benefits, such as the possibility of not fixing a building to a single plot of land. However, the general public is certainly more interested in the public sector, cities, and municipalities, which utilize modular constructions for educational buildings, as well as social housing, information centers, hospitals, etc. Yet, in public contracts, price always plays the primary role, and unfortunately, often only that. Where is the quality, aesthetic value, the work of the architect, the designer? Why should children attend the least attractive kindergartens? Just because they happen to be the cheapest?

There is something wrong with public contracts. I do not want to debate the very dubious initial prices, which then rise disproportionately. I also do not want to speculate about corrupt practices, nor do I want to seek non-transparent procedures among competing module manufacturers, although certain signals cannot be ignored. I would like to pose the question of whether price is simply the key value. The answer is clear: yes, but it cannot be the only key value!

In addition to guaranteeing completely transparent business practices, KOMA offers municipalities and towns, as part of its services, for example, a free architectural design tailored to their needs, and even allows municipalities long-term lease or installment purchase options. KOMA simply declares that modular architecture is key for it and that it values aesthetic and architectural quality. As "its architects," it offers all previous participants in its architectural competition "Modular Architecture," or declares that it will announce a competition specifically for the order and will mediate the competition so that as many architects as possible can participate. The client, in this case a municipality, council, or the citizens themselves, then selects which proposal is the best.

The Power is in the Detail

The fact that modular constructions can be attractive without significantly increasing their price is exemplified by the work of architect Jure Kotnik, who manages to enliven buildings both through the arrangement of containers and various witty decals. This architect looks for details, even in small constructions, that manifest themselves in both the exterior and interior.

As an example of an unconventional approach from KOMA, the École Saint-Exupéry kindergarten in Switzerland serves as a good illustration, where the color stands out at first glance, as well as exterior accessories like the impressive veranda. A designer shop in Germany appears very elegant and its container design evokes a sense of industriality and material purity. A simple white container school in Geneva demonstrates that the composition of the containers and the context of the surroundings also matter. The clean execution of solitary green containers in the historic city of Franeker in the Netherlands shows the possibilities of elegant sheltered housing for people with mental disabilities. Finally, social housing buildings in Hamburg prove that social housing does not necessarily mean bare apartments.

Modular architecture certainly has its place in the Czech Republic; it simply needs to strengthen aesthetic values and not view success solely through a well-filled Excel spreadsheet.

For opportunities in modular architecture and collaboration with KOMA, you can contact a representative of the Vizovice company here.