Electrical substation renovation

Vyskov, Czechia

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Electrical substation renovation

Vyskov, Czechia

Firm

LAPLAN

Type

Commercial › Office

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2021

SIZE

1000 sqft - 3000 sqft

BUDGET

$100K - 500K

The substation was built during the Second World War by the German army. It served a large military area nearby. The utilitarian facility was part of the power grid and large transformers changed the voltage for a military garrison of several thousand until the end of the 20th century. The infrastructure then started to develop in a different direction and the army got rid of the unnecessary object. After that, the building stood on the hill above the town for years without use.
The object dominates the intersection between the town and the barracks which are next to it. The original substation was two stories with a heavy reinforced concrete ceiling. The new use of the building as offices and a small apartment requires a different clearance than the large transformers. Demolishing the original reinforced concrete ceiling and inserting two new steel ceiling structures allowed the space to be divided into three floors. All the openings in the facades were retained as was the technical expression of the building. The new windows are positioned in such a way that the building retains its character and scale. The division into three floors is not apparent from the outside. The external walls are thermally insulated and re-clad with brick strips according to the original appearance.
The overall volume of the building has been preserved and supplemented with an entrance terrace and balcony on the third floor. The timber terrace at the entrance utilizes the steel tracks that led to each of the three doors on the main facade and replaces the original electrical handling area in front of the house. A black steel balcony extends the space of the small apartment and makes the roof accessible via the original steel ladder. The black colour distinguishes all new steel structures in the house.
The interior is contemporary and simple. The floors are cast and the staircase is unified with the floor using the same material. The technical character of the house is reflected by the exposed steel ceiling beams with corrugated iron sheeting and also in the original reinforced concrete structure that dominates the living space on the top floor. The lower two office floors are furnished very simply.
There is a newly paved parking lot in front of the house. The surrounding impenetrable bushes have been replaced by a grassy area, which will gradually be re-grown with vegetation. The substation will thus revert back to its original position - alone, aging in the greenery at the intersection and looking down on the fields, woods and town.

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Electrical substation renovation

Vyskov, Czechia

Other Projects by LAPLAN

Village cultural house

Electrical substation renovation

Vyskov, Czechia

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team