New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023

Project category

Identify the award category for which this project is being submitted
Regaining a sense of belonging

Email user
administration@kogaa.eu

Basic information
Project title
KUMST

Full Project Title
KUMST - Reconstruction of a historic building into a creative hub

Please provide a short, catchy description of your project to be used in communication towards the public.
Realization of the first creative hub of its kind supporting the creative industry in the Czech Republic, which was created by the reconstruction of a historic office building whose last user was the Faculty of Fine Arts of the Technical University in Brno. The reconstruction therefore supported the genius loci of the place, but at the same time the space was designed to be universal and functional for all new users.

What was the geographical scope of your project?
National

Where was your project implemented?
Member State(s) and Western Balkans
Czechia

If relevant, insert names of region(s)/municipality(ies) involved
The operation is managed by the JIC (South Moravian Innovation Centre), an organisation established by the South Moravian Region, other partners are the City of Brno, Brno University of Technology and projects related to the KUMST are financially supported by EU funds.

Does your project address mainly urban or rural issues?
Mainly urban

Does your project refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)

Has your project benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?
Yes

Which fund(s)?
ERDF : European Regional Development Fund

Here you can provide more details about the name of the specific programme, strand/action line as relevant, and the year
Our client is JIC (South Moravian Innovation Centre) organisation who apply for funds based on this project.

Has your project won an EU prize with a monetary value awarded?
No

Is your project fully completed
Yes

Please indicate a date (mm/yy)
2020-09-19

On whose behalf are you submitting the application?
As a representative of an organisation
Please provide the contact details for the project promoter (the individual or representative of the organisation authorised to represent the project)
- Name of the organisation(s): KOGAA
  Type of organisation: For-profit company
  First name of representative: Alexandra
  Last name of representative: Georgescu
  Gender: Female
  Nationality: Italy
  Function: Founding partner, PR manager
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Kluchova
  Town: Brno
  Postal code: 63400
  Country: Czechia
  Direct Tel: +420603219290
  E-mail: administration@kogaa.eu
  Website: http://www.kogaa.eu
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
- URL: https://www.facebook.com/kogaa.studio
- URL: http://instagram.com/kogaa_studio/
In case my project is selected as a finalist of the NEB Prizes 2023, I agree to share the name (individual and/or organisation’s), email address, website and social media accounts indicated above with other NEB Prizes finalists. I also agree to publish the name (individual and/or organisation’s), website and social media accounts indicated above next to the public description of my project in the channels of the European Commission.
Yes

How did you hear about the New European Bauhaus Prizes?
Previous participants

Description of the project
Please provide a summary of your project.
Our architectural studio designed and managed the renovation of a historic office building for the purpose of a newly established creative and cultural hub, initiated by public institutions. KUMST functions as a support for the creative industry to grow in the region, with accelerating programs and support events. It includes a showroom with local creative’s work, pop-up cafe, a large hall for events, shared meeting rooms, and 3 floors of studios, ateliers and a coworking space for the creative community.

Working within the constraints of a tight budget, the reconstruction is made to bring out the main features of the existing spaces while supporting the flexibility of it’s new functions.

Our studio already has knowledge from renovations of historical buildings or factories (DADA Distrikt, Modřice), and we have already had our own experience of running a multifunctional space for coworking and cultural events, which we designed and operated ourselves in 2015-2019 (The Distillery and Lyceum Social Reactor). So we were able to base the design of the new building functions on this experience.

Please indicate the main themes of your project with 5 key words.
Functional space

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Adaptive reuse

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Emphasis on building legacy

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Creative industry support

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Inclusive space

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
The renovation of the building was carried out in the spirit of sustainability, both waste and financial. The complete structure of the building, most of the walls and floors were preserved. This minimised construction waste. The building was a mixture of different layers of time, extensions, openings, walls, niches, etc. We therefore tried to cleanse these layers. Removing double walls, opening and airing out spaces, removing old carpets and linoleum, and most importantly removing gypsum ceilings, under which we discovered a number of skylights that we hadn't known about until then, so we restored it. The original travertine walls and columns are highlighted and given new importance, while new open spaces were created in order to fulfill the needs of spaces for meetings and interactions.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design, positive emotions and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
We created a clean design that would not be deterministic, because we knew that the users of the building would be a variety of individuals and groups, each of them creatives with different needs and aesthetic sensibilities. Interior designer Denisa Strmiskova also collaborated on the project.
It was important to work with daylight, so wherever possible we opened skylights and installed glass partitions. The individual studios are tabula rasa for their new users, custom furniture was designed for the common areas and local craftsmen and designers were approached so the spaces act as a showcase for the local scene.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
Although the hub targets users from the creative industries, there are a number of ways in which the building becomes an important part of the city's civic facilities. For regular users of the building, there are self-contained studios for long-term rental, as well as coworking spaces with fix and hot desks and plenty of variable meeting rooms.
It also includes common areas that are very important for various regional, local and international events. Thanks to the lecture hall facilities with connection to the outdoor garden, KUMSt has become a popular location for summits, markets, public lectures, training of professionals, etc.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project
KUMST is open to the public, regularly organizes various lectures or trainings, offers its premises for use, everything is published on the website or social networks. Anyone could also apply to join its activities on the basis of the open invitation.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national, European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Please highlight what the added value of their engagement was.
Support for entrepreneurship in the creative industries does not happen systematically anywhere else in the Czech Republic. JIC saw the potential in it. Architecture, design, fashion, film, game development, the book market, creative advertising, music, radio and television are all industries based on human creativity, skills and talent. In 2014, JIC mapped the cultural and creative industries in Brno and the South Moravian Region. They found that there are many unique creative projects in Brno, but their potential remains untapped, which was an indicator to action.

Culture and creativity have the power to change society and bring a new perspective to industry and education. Creative industries also add value to other sectors of the economy. KUMST wants to inspire small and large innovative solutions and help develop cultural values and collaboration on the local and global stage.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your project. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was.
We based upon our knowledge of the reconstruction projects, and especially our bottom-up initiated project The Distillery - Social Reactor.
The Distillery’s architectural strategy was designed as a cultural venue to inspire creative confrontation, support innovative ideas and accommodate outstanding events. Originally a distillate factory, then non-functioning for many decades, the historical building is now being given new life and fresh identity while keeping its story alive.

The Distillery is an organic body with potential for expansion in different directions. It can absorb various subjects from which to be influenced and grow with. The typology of the Social Reactors is designed as a hybrid, which is able to adapt in time to the needs of the entities using it. The working spaces of The Distillery are designed to better support the worker engagement, satisfaction, and performance. The layering in alternative spaces that support collaboration enables the connections that drive success in today’s knowledge economy. The proximity and availability of alternative workspaces, both in and out of the office, are key to providing for effective collaboration.

The project is the first prototype of Social Reactor, KOGAA’ s slow development lab tackling the problem of inactive structures and their adaptation into substitute functions. Within the context of a post-industrial city with a strong past in textile production, The Distillery is a representative example of how a vacant property can become a vibrant location, playing an active role in the urban and economic transformation of the surrounding neighborhood and life of the city.

Please give information on the results, outcomes and impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for. This includes also benefits from the project for direct and indirect beneficiaries
After the first open calls inviting creatives to rent the space, all the spaces were almost immediately occupied, while renovations were still underway. The clearest indicator - interest. Clients had immediate feedback and pushed the project through for further funding, making it possible to pursue the building in depth, not just on the surface.

Please provide documents showing the results, outcomes and impacts of your project
Web link
Web link
- https://www.kumstbrno.cz/
Please highlight the innovative character of the project, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the project
It is one of the first hubs in the Czech Republic that targets the creative industries, supports them and develops them. There is a great combination of an Southmoravian Innovative Centre organisation that offers not only opportunities and training, but also space and a close circle of like-minded people. This is now common practice, however initial results have been seen since 2014.

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your project.
We proceeded in accordance with the phases of architectural services, however, thanks to our experience we could better meet the client and we could consult with them already proven methods or, on the contrary, negative experiences. Therefore, the feasibility phase of the project was accompanied by frequent meetings and consultations of different options.

One of the principles was slow development, while some parts of the building are still being finished, but at the same time the approval is possible, the functional parts are immediately used and monetized so that the project can be more self-sufficient.

Please describe which elements of your project could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and context. This may involve for example aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings etc.
- The project itself supports the creative industries.
- An architectural approach that preserves most of the building, and cleanses the layers of time.
- Slow development methodology.
- The fact that the hub is run in collaboration with public institutions, and above all, that it is run by an innovation centre.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the project addresses by providing local solutions
Culture and creativity has the power to change society and bring a new perspective to industry and education. Creative industries also add value to other sectors of the economy. KUMST wants to inspire small and large innovative solutions and help develop cultural values and collaboration on the local and global stage.
Please attach at least 6 high resolution images (or other types of visual representations, if images are not possible) to your application.
If you would like to upload additional documentation, please upload or write below
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By submitting your application you confirm that you are the copyright owner of the images provided and that they can be used by the European Commission for the purposes of promoting the New European Bauhaus on all platforms (websites, print, social media and other).
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that you are not in in one or more of the exclusion situations foreseen under Article 136 of the Financial Regulation.
Yes

By submitting this application, I declare that I am not related to the entities subject to EU restricted measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and subject to Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU)1, and entities covered by Commission Guidelines No 2013/C 205/05), which are not eligible to participate in any capacity.
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that you assume sole liability in the event of a claim relating to the activities carried out in the framework of the contest, that the proposed project has not been proposed for the New European Bauhaus Prizes in any other category or strand and that it has not been subject to any type of investigation, which could lead to a financial correction because of irregularities or fraud.
Yes

By submitting your application, you guarantee that you are the author or have the rights to proceed with the application and to authorise the use of the project and that you have obtained any necessary consents, licenses or assignments from third parties and included copyright notices when necessary.
Yes

By submitting your application, you understand that all the applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be shared for the purposes of the selection processes, and notably published on the secured platform prizes.new-european-bauhaus.eu and for the purposes of the promotion of these on the New European Bauhaus website and/or other European Commission communication channels. In this sense, the applications would be widely available. Applicants should ensure that they present their projects, in such a way that they could be shared without giving rise to intellectual property related concerns. If your submission is selected as one of the finalists, it will additionally be shared for the purpose of the public vote that will take place. The European Union is granted a licence to use and share your application with the general public and the official external experts for the purposes of the selection process, including the voting. The European Union has the right to use the images and visual materials and the description provided in the application for communication purposes related to the contest and beyond. Rights granted comprise the right to store, reproduce, display, publish and communicate or distribute copies in electronic or digital format, including, but not only, through the internet. Unless you have disclosed your name, the European Commission has no obligation to share your name when using or disseminating your contribution to the public. The European Union cannot be held responsible in case any submitted project, is found to infringe third party’s rights. The European Union shall be neither responsible for the use that third parties may do of the applications or related content.
Yes

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you read and understand that the ‘Guide to Applicants’ of the NEB Prizes 2023, available online in the website of the NEB Prizes 2023, is an integral part of this application form and that it must therefore be observed when completing and submitting your application.
Yes