The once-abandoned brownfield has transformed into one of Prague’s most modern and expensive office complexes, Masaryčka. Nestled next to Masaryk railway station, its striking gold façade hints at the marvels of this modern architectural masterpiece.
The Masaryčka, designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid, consists of two buildings connected underground and separated by a passageway. The higher building, facing the newly formed square, has nine floors, while the other rises to seven floors facing the highway. The ground floor is a hub of activity with businesses ranging from restaurants to a confectionery and ice cream parlor. Above them, more than 20,000 square meters of office space unfolds, accessed via a lobby that showcases the administrative part of the building.
The lobby impresses visitors with its grandeur, reminiscent of a cathedral, and is further accentuated by dynamically lit, colorfully illuminated artistic ribs. The building utilizes a proprietary app that replaces many reception services. Visitors register via the software, receive a QR code, and move around the complex freely.
The building is heavily integrated with technology, including AI. The building’s smart elevators learn usage patterns based on the users’ habits, congregating mainly on the ground floor in the morning and relocating to the higher floors in the afternoon.
The Masaryčka is also environmentally sensitive. It features two roof-top gardens that not only hide technical equipment like air conditioning but also provide panoramic views of Prague. The gardens, designed by Jakub Cigler Architects, feature a variety of plants and trees watered using captured rainwater filtered and reused for irrigation.
On the highest floors of the Masaryčka, the interiors designed by architect Jakub Klaška, a student of Zaha Hadid, are adorned with simple lines and muted colors of black, grey, and white, complemented by light wood. The centerpiece is a monolithic staircase in the middle of the office ring.