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In Brno, in the Czech Republic, KOGAA has completed its second redevelopment project with the South Moravian Innovation Center (JIC): the JIC headquarters. The facility, which previously housed a research laboratory, was designed to provide the region with spaces for students, start-ups, and businesses, while also offering a wide range of services, from consultancy to financial assistance.
After the pandemic, JIC began overhauling its work model and identified a need to create alternative workplaces. In response, KOGAA designed a new office concept, aimed at encouraging interaction between people, and instilling a sense of openness and creativity.
The JIC headquarters occupies the first two levels of the building. At street level, there is a coworking area, mainly used by independent business operators. Upstairs are spaces used by the JIC team, start-ups, and the larger businesses. Throughout the facility, organically shaped transparent screens and colorful corrugated metal panels have replaced the original fixed walls to create meeting spaces and semi-private workstations.
Instead of the original design, centered around a central main corridor, the spaces now have a curving, flowing layout intended to encourage interaction. The architects marked out the functions of each area with different colors, with blue used for quieter areas intended for individual work, while red and orange denote areas designed for more interactive, dynamic work.
KOGAA specializes in revitalizing and improving the sustainability of historic buildings. With this project, the chief aim was to reduce the building’s energy consumption as well as minimize waste during the renovation.
The upper floor, which overlooks the floor below in the double-height reception area, is now surrounded by a glass wall to prevent excessive heat loss. The gray floors and concrete ceiling with exposed services were retained, while the furnishings already in the building were reused, alternating them with the varied color palette that characterizes the project. A colored plexiglass installation was added at the entrance that represents the identity of JIC.
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Location: Brno, Czech Republlic
Completion: 2023
Gross Floor Area: 1655 m2
Client: JIC (South Moravian Innovation Center)
Architecture and Interior Design: KOGAA
Photography by BoysPlayNice, courtesy of KOGAA
