The architects presented the concept for the transformation of the former department store Breda in Opava

Opava - The protected historical building of the former department store Breda in Opava could offer a market, restaurant, café, and rental spaces after reconstruction. Architects also plan to create a square right in front of the building. Today, the team of architects that won the international competition presented their vision for the future appearance of Breda directly in the former department store.

The transformation of Breda involves the Brussels studio OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen, the Brno studio GRAM, and the Slovak collective Spolka. Their representatives informed the public about the initial concept of the project, which will be further developed. The architects stated that their goal was to restore the original glory of Breda and open the space to the public. "What we wanted to do was open up that currently quite closed space to the public and connect it to the outside," said Belgian architect David Van Severen. That is why the architects propose to build a square in front of the building where people could meet. The existing road would have to be diverted for this reason. "Our intention is for the space to invite and attract people to enter," said the architect.

Inside the building, the architects propose a vertical boulevard, called "stripe," where stairs or elevators will be located, allowing visitors to naturally pass through the building up to the roof. The intention is for the building to be open and to become a part of the city. The building should also have accessible roof space with a view of Opava and the surrounding area.

"We tried to preserve the original elements as much as possible and return the original shine that the spaces had in the past. And what is important to us is also the flexibility of the spaces," said architect Jan Kudlička from the GRAM studio. The architects plan to restore the dome to its original state so that the space is technically functional, does not leak, and the canvas can be removed, which would contribute to the illumination of the space.

The effort will now also involve public participation to seek a more precise use for the former department store, which could be made accessible through temporary projects even before the actual reconstruction.

The city's chief architect, Petr Stanjura, stated that negotiations with heritage conservationists, which have already begun, will be key to the project. It will be necessary to find a balance between the visions of the architects and the heritage conservators. "Let's say it won't be entirely simple. The design has clearly articulated principles, based on which it was selected, and of course, some things might seem too radical to the heritage conservators regarding that building, so now everything will have to be fine-tuned," Stanjura noted. The city wants to have a clear idea of the shape of the building and its use, which will require the involvement of private entities, within a few months.

At the time of its opening in 1928, Breda, designed by architect Leopold Bauer, was the largest department store in the country. The building, which arose from the reconstruction of the original department store, fell into disrepair for a long time. The cultural monument, which belonged to the bankrupt company of entrepreneur Kamil Kolka, was acquired by the city in 2022 for 39.5 million crowns. Shortly after the purchase, rescue works and some repairs were initiated. The costs for the complete reconstruction are estimated in the hundreds of millions of crowns.