The location of the department store is problem-free in terms of urban design. It complements a block whose side facing the only traditional square in Zlín – Namesti Miru – was stabilised in the 19th century and the other side, facing the Dlouhá boulevard, was established in the 20th century. While the front and the corner to the square had been gradually disrupted since the end of World War I, Dlouhá street had never been fully completed. The building lot was an arrangement of four vacant lots and two corners. The location is very important for Zlín’s organism and self-awareness and it was subject to a number of projects and attempts at development throughout the entire second half of the 20th century. Its importance consists in the fact that it is the only link with the traditional understanding of urban nature. The complex also included the building of the former savings association with its façade designed by prominent architect Dominik Frey. There were controversies for many years in the city about the preservation or removal of the building.
The authors have earlier drawn up a usability study for the location for another client and satisfied themselves that the possibilities were limited. The territory can be entered only at one place and the noise from traffic in the surrounding streets cannot be eliminated using normal technical means, which rules out utilisation for housing. Merging the different areas and using them for commercial purposes therefore seems ideal for this location.
The long-term vision of the building owner and his patience in the gradual acquisition of the vacant and built-up plots of land in the territory and their merging into a single building site initially encountered a lack of preparedness of the authorised department of the municipal authority. The project was substantiated as the surveys the building owner had obtained indicated that about 30,000 people walk through the square every day. Yet apart from the town hall, there were very few small business premises and retail spaces on and near the square. The new department store, according to the recent surveys, will attract 10,000 people every day.
There are 75 leased units in the department store, of which there are five key tenants with an area exceeding 500m2. The size of the other units ranges from 30 to 400 m2. The design of the building has undergone complex development. However, the concept has from the very beginning rested on the savings association premises; it is connected to its entrances and the layout scheme is based on preservation of the wing facing the square. The cinema has become another major inspiration, and not only by revealing the extensive bodies of the cinemas and making them visible in the shape of the building, but also inspiration by the world of motion pictures, perspectives through openings of various dimensions, perforated surfaces and perforated enclosed volumes. Film was and still is a tradition in Zlín.
The Golden Apple department store is connected to a pedestrian subway, which has been restored and remarkably vitalised by entrance from the parking place and one shopping unit. There are six entrances to the department store from pedestrian paths. Seven units are accessible directly from the street, including a café, a bakery, a newsagent and a tobacco shop. The three largest shopping units on the ground floor can be opened directly to the street. All the terraces at the second floor level, both in the cinema foyer and in the restaurant, are intensely used and sought after, in contrast to the original apprehensions of the building owner.
The parking place on the opposite side of Dlouhá street, including access using the original pedestrian subway, as well as the footbridge across Rašínova street at ground floor level and the 19th century house to the right of the savings association building were gradually added to the project. Other independent architects were invited to the project after the aforementioned extension, which occurred only after zoning permission was issued. To avoid monotonous style, the vacant lot next to the savings association was designed by Ivan Bergman. The same architect designed the parking house and areas for lease were added to the latter by another building owner. The footbridge across Rašínova street was designed by Pavel Mudřík.
