Recipe against work-related stress? A technology company from Moravia has its own relaxation park

A few steps from the Kinský Castle in Valašské Meziříčí stands an unobtrusive two-story building, which you will notice only thanks to the long rows of windows with red framing. Inside is the company SVCS Process Innovation, which is engaged in the production of furnaces for the semiconductor industry and has been among the top in the field practically since its establishment, exporting products worldwide.

In addition to the sober industrial building, a mature park adjoins the building, which underwent a comprehensive revitalization in 2017-18. The investor approached the company PRESBETON, which is engaged in the production of a wide portfolio of concrete elements for use in both the private and public sectors, with a request to prepare a free project. This service is standardly offered by PRESBETON to its customers by its internal designer. However, due to the size, character, and circumstances, the solution to this specific task ultimately took place outside the walls of the home design office.

The investor's request matched the introduction of a new series of comprehensive urban furniture called H-E-X, which was created in collaboration with the architectural office Next Level Studio, led by Ing. arch. Michal Kutálek. Since the investor expressed interest in the newly introduced H-E-X system after learning about it, the preparation of the design was delegated to the design office of Ing. arch. Kutálek. The project in Valašské Meziříčí thus became the first test realization of the H-E-X system. “We approached the entire task comprehensively and developed an urban study of the entire company park. This allowed us to test all elements in various configurations. The company PRESBETON accommodated us with its flexible attitude and, based on our proposal and the investor's request, produced a concrete table, which ultimately complemented the H-E-X series and became another element that fits into the paving module,” says the author Ing. arch. Kutálek.

The basic element of the H-E-X system, as the name itself suggests, is a hexagonal tile, which is complemented by compatible benches, bicycle racks, waste bins, integrated seating in the pavement, tables, vegetation tiles, and several height-diverse planters. Additionally, this whole system includes light defining posts and over two meters high elegant slender lights, produced at the limit of the possibilities of reinforced concrete constructions, which received an award at the For Arch fair.

In the company park, practically all elements of the modular H-F-X system were utilized. As a result, the originally deteriorated park was transformed into a fully functional recreational zone, used by all employees of the company.

The investor requested the creation of several separate relaxation areas with a central space that could be used for occasional company events. There was also a requirement to preserve the mature trees. The existing mature trees were only supplemented with new plantings of grasses and perennials, which complete the full-fledged park arrangement of the entire space. Regarding the urban composition itself, we had the investor's trust, and he approved our concept from the very beginning,” adds Ing. arch. Kutálek.

The ability of the hexagon to gradually accumulate one structure after another allows for an organic integration of the paved surface into the natural environment. The paved areas thus appear relaxed and do not delineate from the unpaved surface as decisively as a classic square format. The hexagon particularly creates a playful and creative impression in park layouts. In combination with other practical elements, it forms a coherent system of urban furniture that has found its firm place in the offering of PRESBETON and is applied both in smaller projects of private investors and in public spaces.

Location of realization
Company premises of SVCS Project Innovation Valašské Meziříčí

Project author
Ing. arch. Michal Kutálek

Year of realization
2018