The nursery takes its name from the founder of the Tatra car production, Ignác Šustala. Not only is the nursery located close to Fojtství where the first saloon car President was produced, but also in the close proximity to our own Studio. We pass it, with colleagues, every day. This project was commissioned by Kopřivnice Town, who requested some adjustments in respect of the building’s energy performance and savings to the future running costs. We had carried out a similar work before, during the reconstruction of the Child and Youth Hall in Kopřivnice. Energy audit inspection survey identified the need for a façade insulation and the replacement of windows. The Town had specified an energy-recovery system.

The architectural design style reflects the building’s original character. Individual pavilions connected by a communication ‘neck’. We aimed to return to a simple structure and the use of timber cladding. The use of natural materials and its general appearance and location within a lush mature greenery, by a stream, is in keeping with the historic style of the wooden buildings in this area. We introduced a large scale windows facing the surrounding countryside, renewal of the existing ribbon windows, opening up the inner atrium and the removal of a fence at the front of the property.