Contera is known for its industrial parks, with nine of them in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. But now it is entering a new chapter and will build an intelligent office building called Organica in the centre of Ostrava. “I dare say you will not find a better place in Ostrava,” says Managing Director of Contera Dušan Kastl.
What makes the Organica building special?
Its main strengths are its quality architecture, intelligent control systems, environmental friendliness, but above all its location. We will be building on a former brownfield site that was left over from decades of heavy industry, but no one would recognise it today. The Karolina area is being transformed into a new commercial and administrative centre of the city, and we are pleased that our Organica will contribute to this transformation. With its amenities and excellent accessibility to the historic centre and major transport hubs, I dare say you will not find a better place in Ostrava.
You talk about the “intelligence” of the building. What does that consist of?
Organica will be equipped with the latest technologies that will contribute to making the building partially energy self- sufficient, but most importantly, to make future employees and customers feel comfortable in it. For example, the air conditioning system itself will use sensors to detect where there is a higher concentration of people and let in more fresh air. And vice versa, of course. A mobile app will help you choose a parking space, and there will also be charging stations for electric cars. In addition, employees will be able to charge their phones or tablets courtesy of USB sockets built into the benches.
Nowadays, it would not be possible without photovoltaic panels. We also consider the amount of greenery in front of the building, in the inner atrium and on the open terrace on the sixth floor to be a big plus. But that is what we try to do with all our buildings. The BREEAM Excellent sustainability and environmental certification that Organica is expected to receive speaks for itself.
Is the Organica office building the start of a new journey for Contera, or is it industrial parks that remain the main focus?
We want to focus on both areas, but logistics property development will continue to dominate. At the moment, we are working intensively on the reconstruction of our home, Contera Park Říčany. The reconstruction has two phases, the first of which focuses on the Sanitas building, where new offi ces and warehouses will be built for the largest client in the park, FAST ČR. With the modernisation of Sanitas will come new retail units, including showrooms and a commercial and administrative zone connected to the existing Billa store. The second phase will focus on the building with the Rossmann drugstore, where a modern coworking centre and a restaurant with a café will be built after the modifications. In Říčany, I would also like to highlight the extensive revitalisation of the local greenery.
Among other projects, I must mention Contera Park Ostrava D1, where we are building a unique hall for Sportisimo, the largest domestic retailer of sports equipment. I can reveal that part of the hall will have a rare height of 23 metres as well as automated systems. Other halls in the park will be occupied by Plzeňský Prazdroj or AT Computers.
Thank you for the interview.
