sanopz residential complex

The site to be developed is the former SANOPZ compound in the Na Cihlářce street in a residential neighbourhood. There are four buildings of different age and quality on the site at present. Their condition, except for the health care centre from the 1980s, is very devastated. The greater part of the land is flat, yet it is on the slope above Smíchov in an area rich with green that provides beautiful views to the centre of Prague and the opposite Strahov hill. Surrounding buildings are mostly four-storied; they can be characterised as huge tenement villas and larger detached family houses in gardens. The investor’s plan is to build a reputable residential complex with appropriate high-standard amenities and services maximally exploiting the qualities of the property. Our design strives to respond and adjust the project to the character of the surrounding development – regarding volumes and heights. That means to fit smaller buildings (corresponding with the surrounding villas) in the structures interconnected by glazed volumes of staircases providing their occupants with maximum intimacy, semi-private areas, and front gardens. Many flats are therefore fitted into an optically small volume. At the same time, however, structuring of the volumes guarantees good daylighting and maximises views from the majority of flats. Amenities (parking, technical rooms, etc.) are located in the common basement to which several flats with front gardens are connected on the northeast side. The natural slope is utilised this way (the altitudinal difference is over 3 meters). The internal square (semi-private area) is on the car entrance level (street), i.e. on the roof of the parking and technical part. From this internal space, the whole complex is perceived as a cluster of villas in a large garden. The ground floor of the south buildings around the entrance is allocated for housing services or medical practices.