- Competitive Dialogue5th place
Welcome to Breda, Opava’s cultural cornerstone, now pleasurably repaired for limitless adaptation. From the reinstated corner entrance to the fully inhabitable rooftop, via flexible floors of gallery, event and work space, our British-Czech collaboration has sought to initiate a very useful building.
The green crescent creates a cultural journey for the people of Opava to come together and gather at Breda, creating a centre for cultural exchange – with links beyond to the shopping mall. Breda will provide a place where the community can come together, re-establishing the building’s centrality to the cultural life of Opava.
The Breda Department Store is now filled with new life, from community groups, galleries, events, food markets, cafes and community groups – creating rich connections between the city forecourt and the shopping mall backdrop. Above a new rooftop garden overlooks the city with a pavilion that can provide drinks in the summer and relocate to Republic Square as a beacon for Christmas markets.
Breda's original corner entrance will be reinstated creating a civic welcome to all that pass by. Along the pavement, booth seatings overlook the city, connecting Breda with Opava. Canopies provide welcome shading to the south-facing elevation.
At the heart of Breda is the Bauer Room, the domed hall of the building. Providing a public forum for the city through-out the year, as well as a private hire event space for performances, weddings and meetings. The displays wrapping the walls showcase the history of Breda –creating a permanent home for the memories of Opavans.
