We No Longer Think Like Just a Construction Company From Contract to Decision
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DEVELOPMENT
and dignified environments for the older
generation; and with historic buildings,
we restore historic parts of the structures
under the close supervision of heritage
conservation specialists, sometimes even
using technologies and techniques that
are no longer taught at vocational schools.
We are currently delivering projects
with a total value of more than CZK
1 billion. It is a very diverse portfolio,
and what is important is that each of
Nové Lauby in Ostrava has been in use
for some time now. How do you view
the project with the benefit of hindsight?
Nové Lauby is certainly one of the projects
I have a more personal connection
to. Firstly, it occupies an exceptionally
prominent location just a few steps
from Masaryk Square, and secondly, we
were not simply acting as a conventional
contractor. We were the investors who
bought the site, architectural study
and project documentation, including
the building permit, from the City
of Ostrava. Only then did we become
the builders.
Today, I think the most important thing
is that the building has truly come to life.
Right next to Nové Lauby, you are
preparing another major project –
Malé Lauby. What stage is the project
currently at?
Malé Lauby has undergone some
fairly significant changes recently.
The original plan envisaged a different
use for the building, but after reassessing
the project from both an economic
and conceptual perspective, we decided
to shift it towards residential development.
We approached Ateliér Štěpán to create
the new design, and they are behind this
change. The city has approved the revised
proposal, and we are now continuing
with the design development and planning
approval process.
What exactly will Malé Lauby offer?
And how will the building contribute
to life in the city centre rather than
simply serve its residents?
Malé Lauby will primarily be a residential
development. We are planning
approximately forty flats, but at the same
time we want to retain an active
ground floor, with spaces that engage
with the street and can be used for services
or other local amenities.
I consider an active ground floor
particularly important in a city centre.
If you build a property with nothing
but garage doors or residential
windows at street level, it does very
little for the street itself. A city centre
needs cafés, shops, services, restaurants
and other places that encourage people
to walk around and give them a reason
to stay.
You are also preparing a new project,
Rezidence Písečná. Where will it be
located and what will it offer?
Rezidence Písečná will be built in Rožnov
pod Radhoštěm. This smaller residential
development will comprise two separate
buildings with approximately twenty
flats. As with Malé Lauby, the design
is by Ateliér Štěpán.
We are currently in the final stage
of the design process and are
preparing to submit our application
for planning permission, which we plan
to do during September. If everything
goes according to plan, we would like
to begin construction in the spring of next
year and complete the entire project
within approximately two years.
Rožnov – Písečná