The student efficiently analyzed and diagnosed the housing problems in Brno and proposed a solution that is socially and urbanistically thoughtful, responsible, and well suited to the specific context of the city. Brno is in urgent need of new social housing, and the city center is precisely the right location for such investments. Filling gaps within the dense urban fabric allows for the creation of an excellent social mix within the urban block, where young people, seniors, students, and families can coexist and integrate. The student also recognized that although interesting social housing developments already exist or are developed in the district, for example new municipal project by Chybik + Kristof; expensive developer-led housing still predominates, contributing more to social stratification than to social diversity.

The student also addresses the issue of urban sprawl, in which peripheral social housing developments could become complicit. Therefore, she proposes densifying a large urban block within the city itself. Klara carried out both an inventory of the existing urban fabric and an analysis of local planning regulations. She identified temporary, deteriorated, or architecturally weak structures for demolition, selected a building suitable for adaptation, and designated locations for new residential fabric. She took into account aspects such as mobility - opening the block and introducing pedestrian and bicycle connections — as well as providing car parking in ways that would minimize interference with the shared green space of the block.

Although the planned extension of Slepá Street between Francouzská and Merhautova, included in the city’s planning documents, is acknowledged in Klara’s masterplan, it is not fully resolved in the more detailed drawings. This aspect would require further refinement, which would certainly be possible within the proposed urban arrangement - for example through relocating some surface parking along Slepá Street near Merhautova - and through further development of this street as an important pedestrian passage cutting through the quarter and providing access to social infrastructure such as the kindergarten or sports center. I had expected this street to function as a more prominent public passage.

The distribution of additional social functions aimed at residents within the ground floors of the urban villas located deeper inside the block is sensible. Infrastructure intended for a broader public - such as the sports center in the adapted building, as well as the kindergarten and student dormitory positioned along an accessible route - is also well located.

The plans presenting the building layouts are graphically strong, although, as I had already pointed out earlier to the student, the outlines of neighboring buildings should be represented in a stronger graphic manner - not merely as delicate lines, but as clearly defined masses. This is crucial because the project relies heavily on infill interventions, and it must therefore be immediately clear where party walls exist and where they do not. As the supervisor, I understand this logic, but for an external viewer it should be communicated more clearly, since it often explains design decisions such as the absence of windows in certain locations.

The apartment layouts are, in most cases, reasonable and provide good daylight access and, whenever possible, cross-ventilation, although within this urban configuration achieving that was not always an easy challenge. Overall, there is clearly visible progress compared to the student’s initial proposals. I could point out some weaknesses like the long shared corridor in the student dormitory, or the senior housing building where one has to pass the external gallery to reach the dining hall. Although the residential units contain their own kitchenettes, the dining hall remains an important communal space in such a facility. This issue could potentially be resolved through gallery panels providing protection from weather conditions. These shortcomings are not errors per se, but rather aspects that could still be further refined.

The visualizations prepared by the student effectively communicate her vision both for the numerous residential buildings she designed and for the communal spaces within the green block. I consider it attractive and resident-friendly. The architecture is modest, yet it also demonstrates the student’s aesthetic sensitivity. Had the student been more organized from the very beginning, the project could potentially have become exemplary. Nevertheless, I am satisfied and consider this to have been a strong, highly varied, and ultimately thoughtfully resolved design exercise for the student. I am pleased that during the second half of the semester she became motivated and engaged in bringing the complex and diverse project to a satisfactory conclusion which required a lot of work. Points proposed by supervisor: 81

Research

The research component of the thesis is thorough and constitutes an interesting study of the topic of accessible housing. The research demonstrates the student’s strong analytical skills and high social sensitivity. The very choice of the topic deserves recognition due to its importance in the current housing situation in Europe.

Design

Particular recognition should be given to the choice of location. Inner-city urban blocks are areas where revitalization is urgently needed, while also offering strong potential as new zones for the development of residential architecture.

The student operates very effectively with different typologies and building scales, adapting them appropriately to the urban context. Special attention should be paid to the successful placement of functions within different locations across the site.

The proposed passages through the block, providing access to the newly designed buildings, are interesting. The introduction of appropriately scaled new buildings within the interior of the block is a strong aspect of the project, creating opportunities for new public and semi-public spaces while increasing residential density within the existing urban fabric.

The newly designed greenery responds, in scale and character, to the challenges currently faced by cities in the era of climate change.

Recognition should also be given to the introduction of diverse forms of housing within the block, ranging from student housing and social housing to housing cooperatives. The student carefully selects complementary service functions that enrich the program of the quarter and improve the quality of life within the city center.

Functional Solutions and Floor Plans

The proposed typologies are appropriate to their intended functions.

Within the housing cooperative buildings, the student developed simple yet highly efficient apartment layouts. In the social housing buildings, however, the living areas in the largest apartments should be more spacious, especially considering the higher number of bedrooms, which suggests accommodation for larger households.

In the student housing building, the opening of the shared ground-floor spaces towards the garden and the combination of student housing with a kindergarten are particularly interesting. The layouts of the student housing units are correct and functional.

The urban villas are designed very skillfully, with exceptionally efficient use of space and the successful creation of comfortable multi-room family apartments within very limited floor areas.

The sports center is designed correctly and appears to complement the functioning of the urban block in an interesting way.

The least effective element of the proposal is the starter housing. The narrow buildings, with two external walls in each unit, appear energetically inefficient.

The project creates attractive public and semi-public spaces within the interior of the block. However, the circulation systems, greenery design, and landscape elements within the quarter could have been developed in greater detail, especially considering the revitalization character of the project.

The project is presented in an aesthetic and clear manner, and the drawings are legible while revealing a distinctive visual style. The layout and graphic design of the entire book are particularly attractive and well developed. Topics for thesis defence:

1. How would you envision the phasing of the entire housing estate? Please justify your choice.

Points proposed by reviewer: 80