CHYBIK + KRISTOF completes five-story loft building with concrete + ash wood

multidisciplinary office CHYBIK + KRISTOF has completed the urban infill lofts in brno, czech republic, a five-story building comprising 14 modern residential lofts and commercial spaces with panoramic views of the city. located on a corner site in a former industrial district, the building is marked on its exterior by a commissioned, site-specific light installation, while interior spaces are maximized through n irregular polygon floorplan and a geometric sculptural staircase.

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as CHYBIK + KRISTOF’s design is the first substantial project southeast of the city center, the architects encourage further urban development in the existing area and emphasize that ‘in a complex urban structure, infills are a pragmatic solution for sustainable urban change. promising existing plots and infrastructures need to be revisited and redesigned.’ titled the riders on the storm, the neon light installation by petr dub that adorns the building’s exterior imitates a lightning rod, inspired by the famous doors song. the dominant feature of the building are the large windows, a nod to its industrial heritage, accompanied by private terraces. ‘historically, corner buildings are at the intersection of a main meeting point, and act as visual urban anchors in navigating the city – they are defined by their verticality and the decorative elements that mark their importance,’ the studio notes.

on a limited area of 269 m2, the architects have built a five-story building with a total floor area of 1200 m2, comprising of 14 apartments as well as commercial spaces. the lofts offer 8 standard 1-bedroom flats and ateliers on the 1st and 2nd floors, and 6 lofts of 1-bedroom to 3-bedroom layouts on the 3rd and 4th floors, with areas ranging from 41 to 91 m2. at the heart of the building is a sculptural staircase, connecting the ground floor tenant space. a cohesive selection of materials characterizes the project, creating a fluid palette of reinforced concrete, ash wood, and sleek white walls.