Early in 2008, 2 years after the bankruptcy of the Zbrojovka plant, first thoughts about the possible transformation of the unused area began to emerge. The intention at the time was to quickly demolish and intensively restore the area through monofunctional property development, implemented in the following few years. These plans did not come to fruition due to the long wait for a change to the zoning plan. This allowed the space of the former Zbrojovka, imbued with history, to be given a new chance to revive while respecting its genius loci, which it undoubtedly has. So, a few years later, we could step in and launch the Nová Zbrojovka era. “We’re aware that the development of such a large space by one investor is a very non-standard procedure, which makes us think about it all the more and plan it more carefully,” evaluates the Project Manager of Nová Zbrojovka Jan Růžička, adding: “right from the beginning, when preparing the Masterplan, we gave ourselves space to analyse the individual districts of Brno in order to choose the optimal form of development. Among other things, we found inspiration in the best parts of Brno vis-à-vis urban planning, where we took into account the ratio between built-up and open space.”

Yes, we simply want to live comfortably in Nová Zbrojovka, our goal is to approximate the traditional principles of a mature city, where buildings have normally been created at different times under the direction of different architects and are never the same. The result is then more natural and pleasant for the person, not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also with regards orientation. Winning the public prize in the Urban Project of 2022 competition is a clear signal that we’re on the right track.

Nová Zbrojovka shatters established standards

. At the beginning, it was necessary to develop a Masterplan of the entire area, which would define the framework of the entire future district, delineate the premises according to their functions and also design the infrastructural concept. Following up the ideas submitted to us by selected architectural firms, we chose to cooperate with the leading Czech studio Kuba & Pilař architekti, whose accolades include Architects of the Year 2022. The architectural-urban Masterplan of Nová Zbrojovka was the most extensive project for them so far, and Tomáš Pilař shared their enthusiasm for this cooperation with us in our podcast V Odzbrojení: “We were given an amazing task, creating a Masterplan for the whole area. We never expected to get such a big job, I guess it’s one of every architect’s dreams. All the more so because it’s a project that will be realised in a relatively short time. You won’t just see the results on paper, you’ll actually experience them.” And it must be added that the pleasure is mutual: for us, this has started a very valuable cooperation, laying solid foundations for the next 15 years.
The fact that we wanted Nová Zbrojovka to be architecturally diverse was clear from the beginning, so we chose a non-standard way of organising architectural competitions and selecting designers separately for most blocks. With this approach, we not only give opportunities to more architects, but we also constantly apply pressure (positive pressure, of course) on the required quality of outputs and, last but not least, we acquire the diverse architecture we so highly value for the future quarter. We don’t have to preserve the

historical legacy, but we want to

In creating Nová Zbrojovka’s architectural diversity, we’ve been assisted by the historcal foundations of the place we want to build, literally so. Despite the significantly higher investment that comes with restoring a historic building compared to new constructions, we decided to put a modern coat on the original historical core of four original buildings. Two of them have already undergone the modernisation process, they already boast a “new facade” and we certainly don’t regret the higher investment. We consider the historical legacy of this place, which will remain here thanks to them, important.

The former Tool Shop has thus become the industrial gem ZET.OFFICE, a unique administrative space with a superior working environment and leisure activities. The architectural company A PLUS a.s. under the leadership of Patrik Tuza is behind its appearance and, as in the case of other buildings, his work has been complemented by a number of other architects focused on interior design.

This year, we returned to the original headquarters of Zbrojovka its 100-year-old function as an administrative building. It’s our HRAD, and from inside its walls we’re now creating Nová Zbrojovka. This elaborate functionalist gem, which marries history to the latest trends, was honed by us together with the architectural studio KOGAA. The vision of the young, dynamic team from KOGAA is to respect the specific soul of the building and its future users, and without question they’re succeeding.

The other two buildings are still waiting to be transformed, but they already serve as a full-fledged event space or sanctuary for curling sheets. HALA 76, built in the late 1950s, offers a unique space for events. Its historical industrial appearance, together with more than 4,000 m2 of event space, is unrivalled in Brno. So, if you’re thinking about a largescale event, in terms of square metres and style, then don’t hesitate to contact us. Hala 76 will be transformed in the upcoming years according to the winning project of the Brno architectural office EA, by architects Zdeněk and Eva Eichler, who will also give form to several other blocks of Nová Zbrojovka during later stages.

See the chimney? That means you’re going straight to the heart of our neighbourhood – the KOTELNA. It’s the fourth building we’ve decided to keep and bring back to life. One day we’ll parade around the Kotelna (former boiler house) to the square, which will be the centre of public life and culture of Nová Zbrojovka, hence the name Heart. “It’s not just a reconstruction, but a complete repurposing of the building. Only its envelope will remain, and its essence, structure and function will be completely changed,” explains Alexandra Georgescu, co-founder of KOGAA Studios, which will breathe a new look into the former Kotelna.

Modern architecture will build on restored historical buildings

To complete the idea of our district’s future diversity, let’s also give you some impression of another of the brand new blocks. Come with us to the river to see apartment block G. A personal tour will not be possible for a few years, true, so we’ll have to use visualisations for the time being.

The Prague office DAM architects won the architectural competition to design apartment block G by fulfilling our assignment precisely, i.e. to make the resident feel like their home is part of the waterfront. As they themselves state: “The flow of the natural park between the proposed houses is an essential goal in our proposed concept. A set of four detached houses, or apartment blocks, shaped from above like river pebbles, between which water flows freely, does not form any bulwark between the world of the river and the city blocks in the second plan of development.” So this is the “world” we’d like to live in too, and you?

We already have clarity about the appearance of other parts of the neighbourhood, and we’ll introduce them again sometime soon. Thanks to this, the “architectural family” of Nová Zbrojovka now comprises more than ten architects. As they say in Czech, “more heads know more”, and we appreciate their knowledge, and together with them, we can create for you a colourful Nová Zbrojovka, where it will be a joy to live.