The Building of the Electrical Enterprises in Prague 7 is expected to undergo repairs

Prague - The owner of the Electric Company in Prague 7, the company Bubenská 1, wants to reconstruct the functionalist building. The monumentally protected house is to be entirely reconstructed, and an underground parking lot for 144 cars is to be created. Repairs are set to start in the spring of next year. This was reported by ČTK based on the internet information system EIA. The plan still needs to be approved by the relevant authorities, including the magistrate and the town hall of Prague 7.
    "The plan addresses the reconstruction of the building without major changes to its volume. The existing purpose of the building's use will also change only marginally. The existing polyclinic will not be part of the adjustments," it is stated in the document on the EIA server.
    Among the reasons for the necessary repairs to the building, the owner cites its unsatisfactory condition, which does not meet modern standards. This is reportedly causing some spaces to be unusable. "The maintenance of the building has been random and unsystematic, which has resulted in parts of the building being completely devastated and non-functional from a construction and technical standpoint," the document states. Additionally, parking issues remain unresolved.
    The project includes, for example, doubling the floors and reconstructing the facade, windows, and roof. Glass concrete roofs will also be repaired, with broken or missing glass blocks being replaced.
    Workers will remove the outer shell down to the bearing reinforced concrete structure, which will be inspected and repaired if necessary. The building will also be insulated. The double wooden windows will be replaced with aluminum ones that will look identical to the originals.
    According to the designer, the foundations also urgently need reconstruction. "Based on previous surveys, it has been found that the foundation pads under the columns are made of aluminate concrete and currently do not meet the load-bearing requirements. The foundations under all columns, where this has not yet been done, will be refurbished and strengthened using micropiles and steel sleeves anchored to the base of the columns," the material states.
    Garages will be created under the building, accommodating up to 144 cars, with another seven parking spaces outside. The ground floor should feature expanded areas for services and shops.
    According to the document, the owner of the building aims to start repairs in the spring of next year. They are expected to finish in the spring of 2015.
    The building was constructed between 1927 and 1935 as the central building of the Electric Company. The architects were Adolf Benš and Josef Kříž. Originally, a hat factory owned by the Böhm brothers stood on the site. Offices, public interaction spaces, healthcare and spa facilities, commercial and exhibition areas, a social hall, as well as storage and workshop areas were designed within the building.