Ing. arch. Tomáš Kaňka, company director and co-owner, introduced the studio, which is soon to celebrate its 10 year anniversary, more closely.

Tomáš explained that the idea behind GeddesKaňka really began when he started working on the Olympia Shopping Centre from the London office of Geddes Architects. By then it was already into the 3rd phase of the shopping centre. Once it was completed in 2007, the decision was made to find an independent Prague office for the next stage and this was called Geddes Architects Prague. Tomáš Kaňka has been a company director, co-owner and an associate in the office since the beginning but then it transpired – also due to the economic crisis – that the company’s direction needed to be changed slightly, including the name of the company itself. At the beginning of 2015, therefore, the company was renamed GeddesKaňka to sound more Czech, as the companies motto is „Foreign experience, local knowledge.“

Even though Mr Kaňka is based in Prague and Clark Geddes is based in London, they see each other regularly to discuss each project so that they can swop information and look at them from an architectural point of view as they both have their own ideas and individual contributions regarding each particular project. If it is necessary to help and assist the team in London or in Prague, both offices are able to help each other out.

Following on from the Olympia centre, GeddesKaňka continued to focus on the shopping centre segment, but the work in this area has discreased. On the other hand, the studio has received contracts for other architectural projects, including, in particular, mixed-use development. And one of the largest and most advanced projects is the one in Opletalova Street, which covers the reconstruction, partial demolition and the construction of a new building, which is to connect two of the original buildings. This project was followed by the high profile Zlatý lihovar, a residential complex, which will offer some 600 apartments plus civic amenities. This is a cultural heritage sight that offers its own complexities.

Today GeddesKaňka also includes interior design in its portfolio, from smaller units to commercial premises. A recent project was the James Cook Language Centres’ offices in the Florentinum, plus there are several family houses, apartments and other interior projects on the way.

Tomáš Kaňka believes that the new PSP’s that were approved and have been in force since 1st August, will be a step forward when it comes to the current development situation in Prague and, even though these changes will still take several years to implement, he thinks that better times are on the way.

For the full article, please go to https://issuu.com/wpremiumevent/docs/dn_10_2016_150dpi.

Building World magazine, Issue 2, June 2016

The latest design concept includes 621 smaller apartments, totalling over 47,000 sqm, in a range of prices that include premium units in a 15 storey tower. The developer plans to preserve the historic chimney and distillery building, with the latter, a five storey tall building, likely to house gastro/retail on its lower levels and a luxury 200 sqm penthouse at the top.

The developer, working with project architects GeddesKaňka, plans to start works on the historic distillery building at the beginning of May next year, and is aiming for a planning permit on the rest of the property by July 2017. The total investment in construction is estimated at roughly CZK 2.3 billion.

The property was originally developed as a alcohol distillery in the first half of the 19th century. As a state-owned company from the 1950s it also became the CR’s largest vinegar producer. In 1999, the assets were privatized and purchased by the company Zlatý lihovar. A view of how to best develop the property was adopted and Zlatý lihovar began to work with architects Clark Geddes and Tomáš Kaňka in preparing plans for what would be a largely residential project.