The director of NPÚ is facing problems with the Stiassny villa in Brno

Brno - The new director of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), who will emerge from the current selection process, should, according to Petr Kroupa, who is entrusted with leading the Brno branch of the institute, address the problems associated with the Brno government villa as soon as possible. Last October, the government approved the transfer of this unique functionalist building in Brno-Pisárky to the institute. However, so far nothing has happened in this regard, Kroupa told ČTK today.
    According to him, the building could have been utilized for a year already, but it has not happened yet due to lengthy paperwork. The villa does not need significant repairs; only minor adjustments are reportedly necessary. The heritage conservators have big plans for it and are counting on making it accessible to the public.
    The building will house a documentation center dedicated to the reconstruction of monuments from the 20th century. The center is intended to serve as a national archive and a consulting place for owners of valuable historical buildings from the 20th century who are preparing their repairs.
    "The procedures for repairing historical monuments differ completely from those used for more modern buildings," Kroupa explained. For example, when repairing functionalist buildings, it is necessary to create very complex replicas of furnishing objects and equipment - from faucets to light fixtures. The center aims to provide information on how to proceed with projects.
    The Brno government villa is expected to become a place where conferences on this topic will take place. Both Brno and the South Moravian Region should have it available for representative purposes, and there are also plans for the commercial rental of part of the building.
    The villa was commissioned in 1927 by textile industrialist Alfred Stiassny according to the design of architect Arnošt Weisner. During the occupation, it was confiscated from its original owners by the Gestapo, and after the war, it remained state property. Besides Czechoslovak presidents, Fidel Castro also resided there. According to experts, the Brno government villa is as interesting as the most famous Brno functionalist building - the Tugendhat villa.