A Century-Old Building in Opava (CZ) Reborn Through Thoughtful Restoration
The historic building at Lazebnická 3, in the heart of Opava (CZ), has undergone a renaissance through a meticulous restoration that highlights wood as the primary building material. Originally established in 1910 by Ervín Herrmann and his friend Otto Vogel—both members of Opava’s Jewish community—the department store remained in family ownership until it was reclaimed only after 1989. Today, the descendants of the original owners are breathing new life into the space.
Structural Design of the Extension
The extension features three main bays, designed as open-plan office spaces with spans of up to 8 meters. Centrally located are technical rooms, kitchenettes, an entrance corridor, and sanitary facilities. The central section was designed as a modular structure, while the remaining components were prefabricated as large panels. Each bay consists of prefabricated BSH frames, which were glazed immediately upon installation. The gable walls are made of exposed CLT panels from NOVATOP SOLID.
The NOVATOP OPEN roof elements were fully prefabricated, including overhangs, and were filled with insulation and covered with a hydrophobic wood fiber board. During the wooden structure assembly, windows and doors were also delivered and installed on-site. The window installation took place simultaneously with the roof assembly, directly into the BSH frames. The glazing is fixed and frameless, providing significant cost savings while enhancing the design’s sleek and refined aesthetic.
Interior Design
Wood is the defining feature throughout the interior. The exposed NOVATOP surfaces are exceptional in both stability and durability, resisting surface cracking and ensuring a uniform appearance across all visible panels. One module includes a SOLID wall clad in oak veneer, which seamlessly integrates hidden doors, maintaining an uninterrupted veneer pattern across the entire surface. The doors were later refined by carpenters, with hinges carefully milled in. All surfaces were sanded and oiled as part of the finishing process. The same oak veneer decor extends to additional interior elements within one of the three office spaces.
Most rooms feature locally installed NOVATOP ACOUSTIC wooden panels on the ceiling, optimizing spatial acoustics while also serving as a striking design element. The architect incorporated these panels into the concept from the outset, ensuring both functional and aesthetic harmony.
Completion: 2024
Architectural Design: Ing. arch. David Wittassek, QARTA Architektura
Project & Construction: NOVATOP (AGROP NOVA a.s.)
Structural Engineering: A2 Timber
Construction Assembly: Dřevostavby MC
Interior Finishing: KODE stavby
Interior Design: Ing. arch. Lenka Demetrovičová
Investor: Private individual
Photography: Ondřej Pavlačík and NOVATOP
