The design, project, and construction of the administrative complex were provided by Domesi Slovakia—the Slovak office of the Czech company Prodesi/Domesi. The project was initiated by the investor, Vojenské lesy a majetky SR (Military Forests and Estates of the Slovak Republic), to build an office complex situated in the countryside, directly adjacent to the forests under their management. From the outset, the goal was to achieve carbon neutrality and utilize locally sourced timber. At the same time, it was essential for the investor to apply the principles of circular economy, the use of renewable resources, and natural materials. The design includes 4 buildings and the necessary infrastructure. In the first phase, 2 buildings were constructed – the main office building and the garage building with a boiler room – as well as access roads, parking, fencing, and water retention tanks. In addition to its administrative purpose, the complex is also designed to host social events, conferences, and educational activities—particularly those aimed at children. It will also include space for therapeutic programs involving direct interaction with live forest animals from the nearby game preserve.
The main office building is a two-storey timber structure made of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels (NOVATOP system), with interiors showcasing the wood's exceptional visual quality. The horizontal parts of the structure (roof and ceilings) are made of CLT panels (Stora Enso). The wood in the interior is a pleasant element that ensures acoustic and thermal comfort. At the same time, it brings an aesthetic quality that, together with the abundance of natural light and furniture in light tones, creates a pleasant workplace environment. The overall atmosphere is complemented by wooden acoustic panels on the ceilings (NOVATOP ACOUSTIC), aesthetically matching the interior, which also ensures optimal spatial acoustics in offices and meeting rooms. The workplace lighting was selected to provide sufficient illumination while minimizing glare for employees, thanks to the use of microprismatic optics in the fixtures. "The result is a high-quality, pleasant working environment for employees that minimizes environmental impact," says architect Katarína Geburová.
The main entrance to the administrative building is through a covered vestibule, leading into an entrance hall with a staircase and a corridor that provides access to individual offices, archives, technical rooms, and restrooms. The second floor houses additional offices, meeting rooms, storage spaces, and more restrooms.
"Our goal was to create a simple architectural form with an emphasis on the use of natural materials and high-quality architectural details. The main motif of the building is the symbol of tree rings. In the entrance hall, there is a sculpture by the Slovak sculptor Peter Kolčák, which expresses this motif. The tree rings are also incorporated into various other details – for instance, in the graphics on the glass surfaces or on the tiles in the restrooms," explains architect Katarína Geburová.
The rectangular office building is topped with a pitched roof covered in lush vegetation. The façade is clad in larch wood with thermal treatment. The windows are aluminium with triple glazing. The entire complex, including its main office building, is fully wheelchair accessible.
Team:
Architects: Prodesi/Domesi
Author: Katarína Geburová [Domesi Slovakia]
Design consultation: Pavel Horák [Prodesi/Domesi]
Interior design: Katarína Geburová, Veronika Paldia [Domesi Slovakia]
Project team: Tomáš Sedláček [Domesi Slovakia]
Client: Vojenské lesy a majetky SR (Military Forests and Estates of the Slovak Republic)
General contractor: Wood & future
Structural works contractor: Domesi Slovakia
Photographer: BoysPlayNice
Materials Used:
Structural system of the main office building: cross-laminated timber panels (NOVATOP system+ horizontal parts of the structure (roof and ceilings): CLT panels (Stora Enso)
Wooden acoustic panels on ceilings (NOVATOP ACOUSTIC)
"The Tree Rings" sculpture: Peter Kolčák
