Z EXPA back to Vizovice or KOMA MODULAR has a new headquarters

The award-winning Czech pavilion from the world exhibition EXPO 2015 in Milan, produced by KOMA MODULAR according to the architectural design by CHYBIK+KRISTOF AA, has returned home. After receiving a bronze medal for architecture in Italy and many individual awards from visitors and the media, it can now be viewed at the KOMA company's headquarters. Its grand opening took place on September 29, 2018, as part of Architecture Day.

Although the originally exhibition pavilion is now serving as an administrative building, its main form has been preserved. However, the building had to be insulated to withstand local conditions, and it also had to be adapted to the fact that it will stand here for decades. Regarding technical parameters, the EXPO pavilion/administrative building now operates as a low-energy intelligent building.

The transformation of its interior was successfully handled by architects from the Olgoj Chorchoj studio. The space has an industrial tone, without any drywall; iron, wood, and glass play the main roles.

The ground floor of the building is accessible to the public and currently hosts an exhibition dedicated to the history of Czech and Czechoslovak participation in world exhibitions. The rest of the building consists of offices, meeting rooms, and other facilities for employees.

Art has also found its place here. A spiraling canvas with colorful motifs by Barbora Šlapetová winds through the open space of the staircase from the first floor to the roof, contrasting with the industrial environment and symbolically representing the story of KOMA. This spiral also metaphorically connects the bird sculptures by Lukáš Rittstein. One of them is placed next to the building, while the other is on its roof, where there is also seating and a herb garden with a view of the Vizovice Highlands and the company's production halls.