The aim of this Bachelor's thesis is to develop an architectural study for a community centre with a small church in Brno-Bystrc into the level of detailed design documentation for construction (DPS). The project directly follows the concept and structural study developed during the summer semester of the third year. The main theme is the creation of a new spiritual and social focal point at Horní Square, a location within a large-scale prefabricated housing estate that has long faced a lack of space for religious life and community gatherings.
The urban design defines the complex as a local landmark situated on the visual axis from the Ečerova tram terminus. The architectural concept is based on a circular floor plan symbolising unity and community. While the church is conceived as a sculptural mass in the shape of an embrace opening towards the heavens, the adjacent community centre completes the complex with rational, functional architecture. A prominent facade element is the generous colonnade with a grid of concrete elements, which serves as effective passive shading, allows sheltered access across the entire site, and creates a protected outdoor space for the café, seamlessly connecting the interior with the adjacent park.
The multi-purpose complex is designed as a set of operationally independent units, allowing for efficient use and simultaneous rentals. The focal point is a flexible multi-functional hall (capacity for 300 people for lectures, 126 for balls) and a church for 70 visitors. The community section includes classrooms, a small exercise hall, a café, and a unique atrium with an outdoor classroom. The residential component consists of an apartment for the administrator (priest) and two emergency housing units. Parking is provided by a basement with a capacity of 61 spaces (including designated spaces for persons with reduced mobility).
Technical and Material Solution The building's structure is designed as a reinforced concrete monolith, with the substructure utilising "white tank" (waterproof concrete) technology. The buildings are covered with flat green roofs for effective rainwater retention and microclimate improvement. Within the detailed design documentation, emphasis was placed on minimalist technical details such as parapets, plinths, and entrance doors. A significant architectural feature is the material combination of fair-faced concrete, marble, and bronze details.
The spiritual dimension of the church interior is complemented by a bespoke design of the fourteen Stations of the Cross. These artistic reliefs are crafted using experimental technology from a ceramic powder mixture, granting them a specific plasticity. The individual stations are installed with an offset from the monolithic walls using concealed stainless steel anchors, allowing for integrated backlighting that accentuates the elements' texture and the sacred atmosphere of the space.