New rest areas at EuroOil gas stations

By the end of the year, around forty EuroOil filling stations operated by Čepro will be equipped with the modular Leva Public system. In various combinations, it will create seating tailored to the specific location. As of today, the first ten stations have been outfitted. Leva Public creates an attractive visual dominant in these often inconspicuous places and transforms the character of the location, which now attracts people to stop and visit.

Leva Public shows a way to inhabit outdoor public spaces with the help of a lightweight structure made from natural materials. Compared to typical types of covered seating, Leva Public has a great advantage in the variability of accessories and in the very quick, easy, and therefore cost-effective installation. At first glance, it is also distinguished by its appearance and essence: it is simple, airy, modern, and has the potential to change the face of visually inconspicuous locations. Leva Public also offers a fabric wall that can be printed and used for advertising messages. Almost all materials used in the production of the cube and accessories are recyclable.

The author of the Leva design is the Bílovec studio 519. It was originally created for private use and today can transform under the brand Egoé into a family sofa bed, outdoor kitchen, games room, or workspace. However, the sister company mmcité+, which deals with the construction of transport infrastructure, soon discovered Leva's potential in public space. The development of Leva in this new role was initiated by the Landscape Festival Ostrava in 2018, where the "eight-cube" served as an outdoor exhibition space. Today, thanks to already developed equipment elements, it is possible to create from Leva Public seating areas at rest stops on highways, shelters on bike paths or hiking trails, alternative waiting areas in front of train stations and transportation terminals, outdoor study areas near public libraries or university campuses, classrooms, seating at docks or public fire pits, snack stands, or changing rooms at swimming pools. Designer Bohumil Novotný adds about Leva Public in transportation infrastructure: “Recently, we have had the opportunity to address the entry areas as a whole, which is a great advantage. For example, we plan a green area there, but before the trees grow, Leva can provide shade. It will also be good to provide people with an almost private space where they can be in small groups separated from sharing the internal waiting room with dozens of other travelers.

Leva Public has been conceived from the outset as a modular system. Its basic element is a cube measuring 2200 × 2200 × 2400 mm. The slender structure has a steel base. Other edges are made of durable larch wood with corner steel connections. The metal parts are galvanized for greater durability. The materials and construction are designed to withstand long-term outdoor placement year-round. The cubes can function both independently and in any number combined together in various structures. For extremely busy places, there is an alternative all-metal construction. Leva Public furniture emerged from thirty years of experience in outfitting transport infrastructure. The tables and seating of Leva Public were specifically inspired by the winkl series from mmcité+, which is characterized by highly simplified shapes, great durability, and a timeless appearance. Leva Public offers several roof variants: from polycarbonate with rainwater drainage, through fabric, to roofs made of wooden slats. Where we want to create a wall in Leva Public, it is possible to choose a fabric or slat variant, but also a soundproofed wall made of rubber recycled material. A wall with climbing holds has already been developed. This is particularly suitable wherever children need to stretch their bodies in the fresh air. The floor of the cube can be made of tiles, concrete prefabs, or wood. In cooperation with physiotherapists, a soft floor suitable for outdoor public fitness zones has also been created.

However, the development of Leva Public has not stopped; soon, elements such as a slide or sandbox will appear in the catalog for public spaces. We can also look forward to new comprehensive concepts Leva Home and Leva Office in the near future.

investor: ČEPRO a.s.
implementation: mmcité+ a.s.
author: studio 519 s.r.o. and Luděk del Maschio