South City

FA VUT - Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture

Project idea

Project name: South City
Autor: Anna Goncharenko
Location: Brno, Czech Republic
Project year: 2020
Type: Residential house

The specific urban solution of the area is based on the winning variant of the project published by the Office of the Architect of the City of Brno in connection with the relocation of the main railway station.

A complete redevelopment is planned of this area, which is already referred to as the future "South City".

Modern ideas about comfort require a fundamentally new approach to mass construction. If in the past the urban population was considered as a mass, now individual needs of everyone are becoming the main ones.

The concept of the block is a creation of a comfortable place to live for different groups of people. Everyone will find their interest here.

The architectural solution of the designed residential building is based on the use of a modular system. In particular, the module makes it possible to transform the space of flats (increase and decrease them as needed) with the changing needs of a person and his transition to another social group. The design of each apartment focuses on the use of natural materials, specifically wood.

Project description

The main subject of the project are two adjacent residential blocks and their associated spaces located in the newly created district south of the historic center of Brno.
This district consists of spaces around the new relocated Brno railway station and is bordered by the following places:
• From the north side, the former railway track with an associated embankment and the current Central Station;
• From the northwest side is Nové Sady Street adjacent to the beginning of the Main Railway Station;
• The Svratka River forms a natural barrier on the southwest side;
• On the east side are Dornych and Svatopetrská streets;
• On the south side is the existing development around Jeneweinova Street.
The specific urban solution of this area is based on the winning variant of the project published by the Office of the Architect of the City of Brno in connection with the relocation of the main railway station.
A complete redevelopment is planned of this area, which is already referred to as the future "South City". This approximately 140-hectare district will serve as a home for several thousand new residents, so it is necessary to think in the design of a quality solution for the necessary civic amenities, together with spaces for work and relaxation.
The specific architectural solution deals mainly with the use of residential blocks, with emphasis on the use of their courtyards and the first floor as a public or commercial parterre.
The concept of the block is a creation of a comfortable place to live for different groups of people. Everyone will find their interest here. Under the whole block is an underground parking for residents and storage facilities. The ground floor of the entire block is used as rentable space, where cafes, shops and various services will be located. Inside the block, a public landscaped courtyard is designed, which is accessible from the street from one side of the block. On the roof of the whole block there are community gardens for residents of houses and spaces for recreation and meetings.
The architectural solution of the designed residential building is based on the use of a modular system. Modern ideas about comfort require a fundamentally new approach to mass construction. If in the past the urban population was considered as a mass, now individual needs of everyone are becoming the main ones. Conditionally, the townspeople are divided into 7 groups, with different needs in principle. Since no one belongs to one group throughout life - the environment must be transformable, taking into account newly acquired needs in connection with the transition from one social group to another.
Therefore, the layout of the apartments is decided through a modular system. In particular, the module makes it possible to transform the space of flats (increase and decrease them as needed) with the changing needs of a person and his transition to another social group. The design of each apartment focuses on the use of natural materials, specifically wood.

Technical information

Technical indicators of the site:
Total area – 140 ha
Area of the quarter under consideration – 7200 m2
Area of landscaped courtyard of the quarter – 1800 m2
Total underground parking area – 14 250 m2
Floor height of the underground parking – 3,5 m
Number of parking spaces – 230
Number of parking spaces for persons with reduced mobility – 8
Number of parking spaces for temporary stay – 42

Technical indicators of the building:
Site area – 1500 m2
Building total area – 7500 m2
Operating Roof Area – 970 m2
Building height – 26,2 m2
Number of storeys – 6 + 1 (roof)
Ground floor height – 4,5 m
Standard floor height – 3,5 m
Number of flats – 55