The Hagibor project is located on the border of Vinohrady, Strasnice and Žižkov, near the Želivského metro station. This quiet, highly accessible part of Prague is adjacent to Vinohradská třída, yet retains its peace and privacy in the midst of nature, surrounded by thousands of trees. The new apartment buildings here are designed by Ian Bryan Architects.
The first phase of the residential part of the Hagibor project in Prague 10, the Alfa and Beta buildings with a total of 160 residential units and commercial space on the ground floor, has been completed and now the architects are preparing the next phases of the residential project.
The two residential buildings by Ian Bryan Architects (IBA) are the first buildings of a large-scale mixed-use development by developer Crestyl in the Hagibor area. The design of the entire area includes office and retail space in addition to housing, and when completed will create a brand new urban district of more than 60,000 sqm.
Human scale
A key challenge in such large apartment complexes is to achieve a sense of human scale and individuality where apartments of similar size are often repeated. How did the architects at IBA solve this?
"We turned this repetition into an asset by designing the two buildings with different architectural expressions, but in such a way that they imaginatively communicate with each other. Alpha, which we rechristened 'hedgehog', grows organically on a base of cubic blocks with private terraces above, and Beta as its counterpart with simple horizontal articulation and a forward line of balconies providing screening and protection from road noise," says architect Ian Bryan.
Mikroles in Prague
"It was essential for us to design comfortable and clearly legible public and private spaces. In a semi-enclosed courtyard, together with the French landscape architect Michele Desvigne, we created the concept of the so-called Microles. This helps to regulate the microclimate and enhances the connection with nature, and its principle will stretch across the rest of the territory," adds Eduard Trembulák, the creative director of the office.
Ian Bryan Architects design urban planning
IBA is a long-established Prague-based architecture and design practice founded in 1997 by British architect Ian Bryan. The team of experienced architects provides a wide range of services from architectural design, through the processing of necessary permits to design implementation. The studio, led by director Ian Bryan and design director Eduard Trembuľak, is a team of architects and designers with extensive experience in diverse projects in the Czech Republic and internationally. The core of the team has been working together for over twenty years and draws on years of experience supported by young talent. The studio's main field of activity is the Czech Republic, but it cooperates with a number of international partners and has an association agreement with the HOK architectural network with a global reach.
Quality urban development
In Hagibor, as in all other projects, the developer emphasizes quality materials, comfort and timeless design. "Alpha, Beta and Gamma form a single unit, but like houses in the city, each of them is different. In this case, it is about the interplay and communication of the three houses, which are connected by a common courtyard and park. The irregular shapes of the buildings fit together and look as if they have always belonged together. The position of the masses in relation to their surroundings creates an entrance foreground, which is supported by the dynamic corner of the Beta building," explains architect Eduard Trembuľak. "We composed the architecture of the houses with an emphasis on the individual apartments, which seem to build the structure of the buildings. The articulation of the structure that grows from a common foundation gives the houses a human scale. At the same time, it creates thoughtful screening and privacy for the residents," he adds.
Local community
In Hagibor, the forest is part of the town and the town is part of the forest. The project is nestled amongst the surrounding greenery, where the trees are truly within reach: from the window, from the terrace, from the adjacent walkways and paths that weave through the space, giving an intimate, human dimension to living. Small urban gardens, woodlands, tree-lined walkways and a central square with mature trees bring shade, improve the climate and create a public space for relaxed living in the midst of the local community.
Team:
Architect: Ian Bryan Architects Ian Bryan, Eduard Trembuľak, Michal Němec, Peter Hričovec, Katarína Chalániová, Ondřej Michálek, Hana Tihonová and David Hruška
Static: Static service, Obermeyer Helika a.s.
Landscape architecture: Michelle Desvigne
General contractor: Metrostav a.s.
Developer: Crestyl
Photography: Aleš Jungmann, Alex shoots buildings
