Iconik
Iconik, a nine-story residential building designed by the architectural studio edit!, is located in Karlín on one of the last gaps created as a result of the millennium flood. The parcel is situated on the main street, which, like the entire district, is one of the most sought-after locations in Prague, having undergone a significant architectural and social transformation over the last two decades. The rich history of the formerly industrial district is reflected in the design of the proposed building, which draws from both the historical subdivision of the infilled gap and the typical irregular height arrangement of cornices found in Karlín.
Context of the District
The task was to design a residential building that would efficiently utilize the available space in accordance with local regulations and the surrounding context. The building was to be conceived to offer small apartments for long-term or short-term rental while naturally respecting the history of the district, where the initiators of the project, the Karlín Group and its founder Serge Borenstein, played a significant role in its transformation over twenty years ago.
Iconik is visually divided into two masses derived from the original division of the land and the structure of the urban block with alternating roof heights and cornices – in this case, a narrower mass with nine above-ground floors and a lower, wider eight-story mass. The size, height, and appearance of the building are influenced, among other factors, by strict requirements for the protection of the architectural quality of the Karlín district. The design respects these limits both in volume and in material solution.
Facade
The building has two main facades. The first faces the street, while the second faces the courtyard. The street facade creates the identity of the building itself, where the ceramic cladding with a two-tone decor references traditional materials not only of residential facades from the 1930s but also of local industrial structures that have nearly disappeared due to extensive development.
The volumes are further distinguished by a grid of windows and loggias. The facade opening system allows for ample daylight in every apartment – all windows are designed with a low sill at a height of 450 mm above the floor, divided into a fixed and an operable part, and each opening on the upper floors is fitted with an external railing; the same principle applies to the windows in the adjoining sloped roof. If needed, especially on the south facade, the windows can be supplemented with textile shading.
The protruding system of aluminum slats on the left part of the facade suggests the outlines of the historical building that once stood on the parcel, thus recalling the original scale and spirit of the place. The ceramic cladding transitions smoothly from the vertical facade to the roof plane, while the building maintains a contemporary expression.
Layout Solution
The internal layout is a classic three-wing design with a single vertical core, which is a standard solution for today’s urban residential buildings. The three underground floors house parking, technical facilities for the entire building, and residential cellars. On the ground floor, there are two commercial units prepared for use as a restaurant or bistro with the possibility of utilizing a garden in the courtyard, along with the entrance hall providing access to all 48 apartments ranging from 1+kk to 4+kk, located on the second to ninth above-ground floors – the top two floors are designed as a two-level penthouse with a rooftop terrace and pool.
Private Terraces
Most of the 2+kk apartments and larger have their own loggia or terrace accessible from both the living room and the bedroom. These outdoor spaces, oriented south toward Sokolovská Street, are mostly positioned in front of the bedrooms, creating a semi-private area that separates the most private part of the home and offers users, in addition to outdoor seating, a higher degree of privacy within the apartment. Premium units with fully glazed living spaces are located on the upper floors of the building. From their spacious terraces, there is a view of the green Vítkov and the rooftop landscape of Karlín.
Context of the District
The task was to design a residential building that would efficiently utilize the available space in accordance with local regulations and the surrounding context. The building was to be conceived to offer small apartments for long-term or short-term rental while naturally respecting the history of the district, where the initiators of the project, the Karlín Group and its founder Serge Borenstein, played a significant role in its transformation over twenty years ago.
Iconik is visually divided into two masses derived from the original division of the land and the structure of the urban block with alternating roof heights and cornices – in this case, a narrower mass with nine above-ground floors and a lower, wider eight-story mass. The size, height, and appearance of the building are influenced, among other factors, by strict requirements for the protection of the architectural quality of the Karlín district. The design respects these limits both in volume and in material solution.
Facade
The building has two main facades. The first faces the street, while the second faces the courtyard. The street facade creates the identity of the building itself, where the ceramic cladding with a two-tone decor references traditional materials not only of residential facades from the 1930s but also of local industrial structures that have nearly disappeared due to extensive development.
The volumes are further distinguished by a grid of windows and loggias. The facade opening system allows for ample daylight in every apartment – all windows are designed with a low sill at a height of 450 mm above the floor, divided into a fixed and an operable part, and each opening on the upper floors is fitted with an external railing; the same principle applies to the windows in the adjoining sloped roof. If needed, especially on the south facade, the windows can be supplemented with textile shading.
The protruding system of aluminum slats on the left part of the facade suggests the outlines of the historical building that once stood on the parcel, thus recalling the original scale and spirit of the place. The ceramic cladding transitions smoothly from the vertical facade to the roof plane, while the building maintains a contemporary expression.
Layout Solution
The internal layout is a classic three-wing design with a single vertical core, which is a standard solution for today’s urban residential buildings. The three underground floors house parking, technical facilities for the entire building, and residential cellars. On the ground floor, there are two commercial units prepared for use as a restaurant or bistro with the possibility of utilizing a garden in the courtyard, along with the entrance hall providing access to all 48 apartments ranging from 1+kk to 4+kk, located on the second to ninth above-ground floors – the top two floors are designed as a two-level penthouse with a rooftop terrace and pool.
Private Terraces
Most of the 2+kk apartments and larger have their own loggia or terrace accessible from both the living room and the bedroom. These outdoor spaces, oriented south toward Sokolovská Street, are mostly positioned in front of the bedrooms, creating a semi-private area that separates the most private part of the home and offers users, in addition to outdoor seating, a higher degree of privacy within the apartment. Premium units with fully glazed living spaces are located on the upper floors of the building. From their spacious terraces, there is a view of the green Vítkov and the rooftop landscape of Karlín.
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