The original building is preserved from the outside in accordance with heritage conservation, but it features a new structure on the façade. We maintained the original principle of tiered production—each floor is different in function and design. All support facilities take place within a 1.5 construction module—a "razor" wall made of red acoustic bricks is inserted into the house, separating the staircase from the new operations. It is visible and left unplastered.

The gallery had to be strictly at ground level, close to the people. On the upper floors, there is a coworking center, a café with a terrace, a multifunctional hall, an apartment for a resident artist, and a loft in the extension. On the ground floor façade, there is a legal graffiti wall—Telegraph aims to engage with the outside and attract passersby.

The coworking center is a hybrid between an open office landscape and individual offices. It is illuminated from three sides around the perimeter. In the depth of the layout, there is a chillout zone and a meeting room, as well as phone booths and meeting boxes. The internal staircase connects the coworking space and the café.

Thanks to good food, a mix of functions, and an attractive program, the café also operates on the 3rd floor. From the café, there is access to the multifunctional hall (cinema) with production facilities. This floor also includes an apartment with a studio for a guest artist. Here, the original building ends.

The entire extension is a different world. The original house—cut—extension. Below is a quality environment for work and refreshments versus a quality environment for festive stays and good parties—an extract of key moments from the typology of a villa.

The loft in the extension is an apartment for an art lover, referencing the salons of middle-class apartments from the late 19th century, but in shape, it is a simple steel structure akin to an expansion of a factory operation. Everything grows from the floor; the space serves as a stage for events. From the balcony in the elevated space, one observes the paintings on the staging paths. A garden and a deck on the roof are also available.

Sustainability of the building

We glorified the skeleton as the most versatile system possible. We preserved the romance of old factories. The original factory windows were thoroughly refurbished, including their ability to open. Additionally, similar, period-identical windows were used from a demolished hall nearby, from another of our buildings. The new uses in new situations (neon carriers, sun-shading devices, dividing partitions in the interior) affirm the concept of romantic inspiration.

Location: Jungmannova 2, Olomouc
Authors: ječmen studio / Eva Blažková, Lukáš Blažek
Collaborators: Vojtěch Jemelka, Lucie Vyhlídalová, Anna Pospíšilová, Jan Skoček
Investor: Private
Built-up Area: 507 m²
Usable Floor Area: 1,512 m²
Site Area: 507 m²
Enclosed Volume: 7,880 m³
Project Duration: 2016–2018
Construction Period: 2018–2021
Costs: EUR 4,100,000
Photography: KIVA, Tereza Oprchalová

ječmen studio

Public Summer Garden

Telegraph

Football bleachers

Museum of Olomouc cheese