Democratic Architecture - Ostrava

The project deals with the design of an apartment building in the cultural center of Ostrava, which is focused on the creation of the concept of economic and yet high-quality and pleasant democratic housing. The concept is therefore focused on the democratic possibility of choosing one's own flats, which would meet the specific needs of their inhabitants and at the same time represent an ideal balance between minimalist and comfortable living.

To me, democratic architecture means a compromise meeting of human needs for housing at an acceptable purchase price. At the same time, this housing should correspond to the specific requirements of the individual, depending on the living situation and financial possibilities, with the necessary adaptation to the surroundings. Therefore, this project is built on the possibility of choice. This choice is mediated by furnished modules, which represent rooms and are designed in such a way that functional and comfortable apartments are created, taking into account standard requirements and the natural needs of their owners, by a very simple method of folding the modules together. We can clearly perceive these modules both in the interior and exterior. Five module variants were chosen for the project, which represents individual floors; on the first floor, there are unspecified non-residential spaces for rent for possible businesses and other non-residential spaces for residents of the apartment building. The proposal is designed with regard to the surrounding development and works with the basic effort to complete the block development that existed here in the past. At the same time, the project is designed as a continuation of the adjacent apartment building and respects the construction line of the block. The main idea of ​​the project was to create democratic housing that takes care of the surrounding buildings and at the same time brings a concrete solution of economically affordable housing that is at the same time comfortable and allows great variability to meet the specific needs of its residents. Another important part of the project is the design of an intensive green roof, which is again divided into modules and, thanks to its large thickness, allows great freedom of use, including the planting of trees

The design solution is focused on prefabrication. All supporting structures are built from prefabricated reinforced concrete parts. Prefabricated columns are essential for the design, their shape creates the impression of dividing the space into modules and at the same time they blend in with the walls, so they do not disturb the interior. The staircase in the center allows almost zero communication within the apartment, and since it is designed as an outdoor space, it is an economical and above all elegant solution that uses the heated space for the apartments themselves to the maximum extent possible, and the mass of the heated house is made up purely of modules.