K Botiči Student’s Home / Schindler Seko

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• Architects

  Schindler Seko

• Location

  Prague 10, Czech Republic

• Architect in Charge

  Jan Schindler, Ludvík Seko

• Support

  Petra Matuszková, Hana Polidarová, Ondřej Dušek, Jan Holub

• Investor

  Hamilton & Co Holdings

• Area

  4146.0 sqm

• Project Year

  2013

• Photographs

  Ondřej Polák

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Text description provided by the architects. Background: The existing building is located in K Botiči Street, Prague 10, on the cutting edge of residential development and a vast park area. The boundaries of these properties are marked by the Botič Creek. The building is located on the South-Eastern corner of the street with its Eastern front facing directly the park. K Botiči Street opens in Vršovická Avenue, a backbone street to Prague downtown.

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Original purpose: Designed as an office building with offices along a central corridor, this property was developed in 1970s. The storey height is very low and no parking space is available for residents. Although reconstructed back in 1990s to serve the needs of Komerční banka, it fails to meet current requirements for office buildings. These are the reasons why the customer decided to reconvert the building to a student’s home.

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Concept: The basic concept of the building splits into two parts. The façade and the connecting rooms make up the 'skin' of the building, a neutral black-and-white exterior envelope, while the corridors and stairways are the building’s 'arteries'. Invigorated with rich colours they become a vivid communication hub. The corner siting of the building is highlighted by a new double-height oriel on the two upper storeys featuring study rooms – the knowledge centre of the building.

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Layout: Self-contained double rooms, i.e. each with a bathroom and a toilet, are placed in the existing reinforced-concrete pole span. Single and four-bed rooms, including rooms for students with physical impairments, are designed for end and corner positions. Each storey is equipped with a kitchenette to make cooking meals. A reception desk and a restaurant are available downstairs. The basement features a students club, fitness, laundrette and building service installations.