Successful research institute has a new building worth more than a billion

photo: strouhal.org

Prague - The construction and equipping of the new building of the most successful domestic scientific institution - the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences - cost over one billion crowns. It is primarily intended for research in organic chemistry. The ceremonial opening is planned for Thursday afternoon in Prague's Dejvice. The institute has established itself internationally due to the unique research of the famous chemist Antonín Holý, and significant revenues from his patents still constitute an important part of the institution's budget. The institute was therefore able to finance the construction and reconstruction of the scientific complex from its own resources and without subsidies.
    The institute's campus, which focuses on basic research in the field of organic chemistry and biochemistry with applications in medicine and the environment, is undergoing a complete reconstruction. It is expected to be completed in two years. "The entire redevelopment of the campus will cost approximately two billion," said Martin Fusek, the institute's deputy director for strategic development, to ČTK.
    The architectural design of the new building with laboratories and interior was created by the VPÚ Deco Prague studio under the guidance of architects Ivan Šrom and Kateřina Mašková. The design of the building was chosen with regard to the maximum utilization of the campus space, its functional focus, and to harmonize with the main building from the First Republic.
    The construction was prepared for a long time; according to the original ideas, only a lecture hall was to be created. Architects Šrom and Mašková aimed to preserve the symmetry of the campus in the small courtyard space while still building a structure for the new millennium. The final shape was determined by the sufficient amount of daylight. "The new building is relatively close to the old one. This shape, even based on lighting-technical calculations, turned out to minimize shading the original building and provides maximum natural lighting," Šrom told ČTK. It will accommodate about 130 employees.
    The architect added that the modern laboratories are built to the highest technical standards with minimal energy consumption for the entire building. There are, for instance, 18 large laboratories and the same number of evaluation workplaces occupying up to 1136 m² across three above-ground floors of the building. The fifth set-back floor offers a rooftop garden and is connected to the historical building by a bridge. Three basements with more than four thousand square meters serve as the technical support for the campus, including a library, chemical storage, and garages.
    Three years ago, a building for biochemistry was reconstructed on the campus; then, symbolically for the birthday of Professor Holý. The reconstruction continues further in phases while operations are still underway.
    The institute's budget is around half a billion crowns annually. It is composed roughly half from subsidies and grants, with the rest being its own funds. According to experts, the functioning and financing of the institute are globally unique.
    However, the revenues from some of Professor Holý's patents are expected to end in three years; primarily the patent for tenofovir, one of the most effective weapons against viral infection, also used in HIV therapy. Despite this, the institute's management remains optimistic. According to Fusek, they are focusing on other projects with commercial potential. "We have some, but they cannot be discussed right now," he added.