The emergency state of the chimney threatens the iconic dome of OD Breda in Opava

breda

Opava - The emergency condition of the chimney of the former department store Breda in Opava threatens the glass dome, which is the main landmark of the building designed by the famous architect and native of Krnov, Leopold Bauer. The city must therefore prioritize the repair of the chimney. In the meantime, a project for the restoration of the dome is being prepared. This was confirmed today by the city spokesperson, Roman Konečný.

"The chimney is in a state of emergency. It is located near the dome. If it were to collapse, there is a risk that it could fall directly onto the dome," said Konečný.

The preparatory work for the restoration of the dome started recently. "It is a technically demanding intervention. We need to have special scaffolding built so that the restorers can work safely and precisely at height. The dome will undergo thorough cleaning, stabilization of the terrazzo plaster, repairs of the concrete ribs, replacement of roofing elements, and rehabilitation of the adjoining roof sections. The work should be completed within five months," he said.

After this phase is completed, restorers will begin replacing the glass blocks. "They must not only be visually identical to the originals but also attached using the same technology. Once this work is finished, it will be possible to remove the protective tarp that currently covers the dome. This will allow the interior spaces to once again be filled with daylight, and the whole structure will literally bloom," he said.

According to the head of the monument care department, Lucie Častulíková, the almost hundred-year-old dome is one of the most valuable features of the entire building. "The dome itself is truly a masterpiece. Its base consists of a plastered circumferential ring, followed by a surface made of artificial stone with circular decor and 26 fields, which are arranged at the top from glass blocks measuring 16 by 16 centimeters. The central rosette of the dome consists of semicircles and circles that form a six-pointed flower. Some parts are even movable and allow for ventilation. The entire mechanism can be controlled from the top of the dome," she stated.

At the time of its opening in 1928, Breda was the largest department store in the republic. The building, constructed in 1927 through the renovation of the original department store, had long been neglected. The cultural monument, which belonged to the bankrupt company of entrepreneur Kamil Kolka, was acquired by the city in 2022 for 39.5 million crowns. The total costs for the reconstruction were originally estimated at around 300 million crowns but are now 200 million higher. The annual operating costs of the building, which has 10,000 square meters, are expected to be about 17.7 million crowns.

After the repairs, the building should offer a market, restaurant, café, and rental spaces. Architects also plan to create a square directly in front of the building. The transformation of Breda involves the Brussels studio OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen, the Brno studio GRAM, and the Slovak collective Spolka. The architects aim to restore the original splendor of Breda and open the space to the public.