Foundation Veronica
reconstruction of a charitable shop
The charity shop of the Veronica Foundation has undergone reconstruction. The new interior was designed by architecture students.
The charity shop of the ecological Veronica Foundation on Pekařská Street in Brno has completed an extensive reconstruction and reopened to the public on Monday, February 2, 2026. The new interior was designed and built by students of the Faculty of Architecture at VUT in Brno under the guidance of architects Barbora Krejčová and Martin Doležel.
The project was created in the spirit of zero waste and reflects the foundation's values – a caring relationship with nature, sustainability, and the reuse of materials. “Our requirements were high – the design of a charity shop where the merchandise is constantly changing. We wanted the interior to accommodate many displayed items of all kinds, be in accordance with sustainability principles, and be durable, meaning it could withstand the operation of several thousand visitors monthly for several years. It made sense to present such a challenge to students,” stated the director of the Veronica Foundation, Helena Továrková.
Students from the Matter Matters studio at the Faculty of Architecture VUT took on the challenge. “It sounded quite ambitious at the beginning – design and build a store. Thanks to the work of students in school workshops and the craftsmen and volunteers on the site, the plan became a reality. The result is very convincing and worth a visit,” evaluated studio leader Martin Doležel.
Recycled materials and involvement of volunteers
During the approximately month-long reconstruction, recycled, donated, and leftover materials were used – for example, boards made from recycled plastic or elements made from recycled concrete. New generation OSB boards played a significant role, which were pilot-tested for processing wooden recyclate from waste, and further black MDF boards, from which shelves, islands, and part of the counter were created. Recycled concrete was used for a prominent feature opposite the entrance, which catches visitors' attention right upon arrival.
“When the goal is not only the architectural study but also its realization, it is challenging to reconcile limited teaching time with the installation process itself. This year, students devoted a lot of energy to creating interior elements, and many volunteers were also involved,” stated Barbora Krejčová.
People from various professions helped on the construction – from an opera singer to a yoga studio owner to a museum director.
Experience for practice and professional recognition
Students first visited manufacturers of recycled building materials, tested their processability and strength, and subsequently participated in the actual construction and assembly of the interior. “It was an important experience for us – we tried out the craft, communication with suppliers, and the time demands of implementation. This will be useful in practice,” says student Andrea Snopková.
Another student, Veronika Pečeňová, added that feedback from the real operation of the shop will also be valuable.
The project, titled Matter Matters, also received an award as part of the Bohuslav Fuchs Prize, organized by the student association SOFA at the Faculty of Architecture VUT.
A shop that helps nature
The Veronica Foundation operates two charity shops in Brno – at Pekařská 38 and at Palackého třída 25. People donate clothes, books, shoes, and other household items, and the proceeds from sales go to support local ecological projects. Since 2008, the foundation has saved and returned more than half a million items to circulation and raised nearly 8.5 million CZK for charitable purposes.
The shop on Pekařská Street returns approximately 25,000 items to circulation every year and brings up to 300,000 CZK to support nature conservation, especially in Southern Moravia.
“The beautiful new store in line with our ecological values will attract even more shoppers. I believe that donations will also grow, thus supporting nature and landscape conservation in our region,” concludes Helena Továrková.
The charity shop of the ecological Veronica Foundation on Pekařská Street in Brno has completed an extensive reconstruction and reopened to the public on Monday, February 2, 2026. The new interior was designed and built by students of the Faculty of Architecture at VUT in Brno under the guidance of architects Barbora Krejčová and Martin Doležel.
The project was created in the spirit of zero waste and reflects the foundation's values – a caring relationship with nature, sustainability, and the reuse of materials. “Our requirements were high – the design of a charity shop where the merchandise is constantly changing. We wanted the interior to accommodate many displayed items of all kinds, be in accordance with sustainability principles, and be durable, meaning it could withstand the operation of several thousand visitors monthly for several years. It made sense to present such a challenge to students,” stated the director of the Veronica Foundation, Helena Továrková.
Students from the Matter Matters studio at the Faculty of Architecture VUT took on the challenge. “It sounded quite ambitious at the beginning – design and build a store. Thanks to the work of students in school workshops and the craftsmen and volunteers on the site, the plan became a reality. The result is very convincing and worth a visit,” evaluated studio leader Martin Doležel.
Recycled materials and involvement of volunteers
During the approximately month-long reconstruction, recycled, donated, and leftover materials were used – for example, boards made from recycled plastic or elements made from recycled concrete. New generation OSB boards played a significant role, which were pilot-tested for processing wooden recyclate from waste, and further black MDF boards, from which shelves, islands, and part of the counter were created. Recycled concrete was used for a prominent feature opposite the entrance, which catches visitors' attention right upon arrival.
“When the goal is not only the architectural study but also its realization, it is challenging to reconcile limited teaching time with the installation process itself. This year, students devoted a lot of energy to creating interior elements, and many volunteers were also involved,” stated Barbora Krejčová.
People from various professions helped on the construction – from an opera singer to a yoga studio owner to a museum director.
Experience for practice and professional recognition
Students first visited manufacturers of recycled building materials, tested their processability and strength, and subsequently participated in the actual construction and assembly of the interior. “It was an important experience for us – we tried out the craft, communication with suppliers, and the time demands of implementation. This will be useful in practice,” says student Andrea Snopková.
Another student, Veronika Pečeňová, added that feedback from the real operation of the shop will also be valuable.
The project, titled Matter Matters, also received an award as part of the Bohuslav Fuchs Prize, organized by the student association SOFA at the Faculty of Architecture VUT.
A shop that helps nature
The Veronica Foundation operates two charity shops in Brno – at Pekařská 38 and at Palackého třída 25. People donate clothes, books, shoes, and other household items, and the proceeds from sales go to support local ecological projects. Since 2008, the foundation has saved and returned more than half a million items to circulation and raised nearly 8.5 million CZK for charitable purposes.
The shop on Pekařská Street returns approximately 25,000 items to circulation every year and brings up to 300,000 CZK to support nature conservation, especially in Southern Moravia.
“The beautiful new store in line with our ecological values will attract even more shoppers. I believe that donations will also grow, thus supporting nature and landscape conservation in our region,” concludes Helena Továrková.
Veronica Foundation
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