Kocanda Kravsko II – Plaster Plant + Sorting Plant

INTRODUCTION
The project addresses the second phase of the conversion of the former ceramics site in Kravsko. Originally a Baroque complex, it was built as an inn on the Prague-Vienna route. In the second half of the 19th century, it was transformed into a renowned ceramic factory and expanded with new buildings. The production operated here for over a hundred years, even for a while after the Velvet Revolution. However, it soon faced the fate of many other outdated industrial operations – production was discontinued, the site changed owners, and deteriorated over time. The current owners, who come from Kravsko, are reconstructing the area for hosting social events and experiential tourism.

Authenticity
This is what we strive for.

THE FACTORY

Welcoming
The main dominant feature of the complex, visible from a great distance, is the factory chimney. A neon sign crowns the chimney and naturally attracts the visitor towards it.

Part of the original factory next to the chimney now serves as a reception and staff facilities. The entrance to the building is via a ramp made of colored concrete. The ramp, along with the staircase, primarily serves a functional purpose, but at the same time, it is a significant artistic element that welcomes visitors and naturally guides them to the entrance. The axes of the complex originally faced a different direction, which could no longer be followed for operational and ownership reasons. The current entrance is at the former back of the complex, so it was necessary to create a new prominent attractor that would catch the visitor's attention at first glance.

The reception space is where clay was once mixed. The stopped mixers are left in their original positions as they were once abandoned. The entire space retains its industrial character. In one of the walls, we create an installation from plaster molds used for casting pots. The molds are stacked in columns and left only as aesthetic objects that have lost their purpose but are still beautiful. It’s a way to leave them in place and not dispose of them.

GYPSUM FACTORY

Structure
This is the original utilitarian storage for plaster molds. The building has an elongated layout with a ratio of 1:8 over three floors. The vaulted cellars are embedded into the slope from the south. The ground floor is built of bricks, while the second floor is wooden construction. The masonry is partially constructed from old plaster molds that were used for casting ceramics. This material is not suitable for building at all. It is evidence that recycling and building with what was available was practiced in the past.

Conversion
Converting buildings for a new purpose requires more intervention than simple reconstruction. The project addresses the transformation of the former warehouse into accommodation facilities. The elongated shape allowed the layout to be cut into individual rooms like salami. Given the house's narrowness of just under 6 meters, it was not possible to install communication inside. Especially on the second floor, this would have greatly interfered with the preserved structures. Therefore, we decided to add a separate walkway to service the upper rooms and create a desirable porch for the lower rooms from the southern side due to the dense slatting. The walkway is made from second-quality oak lumber that was originally intended for fuel.

The rooms on the ground floor have had their sills removed, allowing direct entry from the porch. To the north, the steel frames of the former factory windows are left intact. New windows are set behind them. The frames create a grid that acts as a barrier against falling, as the windows have low sills. At the same time, they preserve the original division of the openings. The building has become wavy due to ground pressure. We added several supporting pillars to the northern façade to stabilize it. However, in the ground floor rooms, one can see a pronounced tilt of the walls, to the point where one has to hold on to avoid stumbling.

We aimed to maximize the preservation of the building's authenticity, which forced us to insulate the structure from the inside on the second floor. This way, the original dilapidated wooden façade, which is still healthy, remains in place. Therefore, the expression of the house hasn’t changed much. We retained the logic of the truss structure. The most significant transformation occurred to the eastern gable of the building, which is entirely glazed and thus offers wide views of the landscape.

Interior
The rooms on the ground floor are simple, bright spaces. The bathrooms are separated by steel frames with frosted glazing.

The rooms on the upper floor maintain their authenticity with exposed beams and original planks that were dismantled and used as a new floor.

All of this is complemented by plaster molds, which are utilized as tables, lampshades, or purely as objects of aesthetic interest. The molds that were originally stored here thus remain in place in a reduced quantity.

CLASSIFYING ROOM
The former sorting room building is the youngest of the entire complex. Its origin dates back to the mid-20th century. Historically, it is the least valuable building, but it is still a nice example of contemporary industrial construction that is purely functional. Even then, building materials were recycled during construction. Here we approached the design conventionally.

Celebration Space
Industrial buildings are ideally transformable for hosting social events. Thanks to their open layout, they offer a universal space that can be filled with events.

In the building, there is now a restaurant with a kitchen on the ground floor. Adjacent to the restaurant is a greenhouse, which is a simple steel structure that we stripped down and replaced the cladding with glass. Access to the attic space is via a heavy steel welded staircase that functions as an artistic object in itself. The attic contains a spacious hall that we have preserved its authenticity. All structures are original, showing signs of age and wear.

CONTINUATION
The complex consists of buildings from different times and for various purposes. Therefore, we approach each of them differently. How? Stay tuned.