Michal Bystroň is a self-made man in the building industry whose construction company BYSTROŇ Group is changing the image of the region. He is significantly involved in realising new buildings, econstructing monuments, and improving public spaces. Among his intense interests are his family and sports.
You give real shape to investors’ intentions in many areas. How important is it for you to be involved in developing the University of Ostrava´s Faculty of Medicine campus?
I think the overall development of the Faculty of Medicine is significant. I do not mean for us, but for our whole region, where the Faculty of Medicine certainly plays an important role. Our company was involved in the past reconstruction of the teaching pavilion. The cooperation with the people who were in charge of the rebuilding at that time was excellent. When tenders were invited for the construction of the Dean’s building, a well-done design by architect Martin Janda, and the next phase of the reconstruction of the teaching pavilion (one that we knew so well), it went without saying that we participated in it. I am glad that we succeeded and that after many implementations in the past years at the VŠB-TUO, we can also significantly contribute to the development of the University of Ostrava, which we are currently reconstructing, and in addition to the aforementioned Medical Faculty, the Faculty of Arts in the centre of Ostrava.
You carry out the reconstruction of historical buildings, often under heritage conservation. How is this work specific?
The work of reconstructing historic buildings is specific in that it requires respect for the original condition and character of the building and knowledge of historic building techniques and materials. The ability to solve unexpected problems that almost always occur in historic buildings is very important. I remember the uproar caused by the surprising discovery of a smokehouse in the Trojmezí Museum in Jablunkov or the discovery of a well during the reconstruction of Knur’s palace in Fulnek. Such things belong among the amusing stories, which usually make the monument a little more attractive, but even these cannot be ignored just because they are not part of the project documentation. Of course, there are also serious complications that can make things really difficult, and it is necessary to do a thorough survey and involve experts. Just a short time ago, we were renovating a house that was 106 years old. It was built before the First Republic was declared, the original documentation was quite poor, and only the demolition work revealed the surprises that the stress analyst had to deal with. At the moment, we have started the reconstruction of Bruntál Chateau, so I am curious what we will find there.
You are involved in the renewal of the centre of Ostrava, and the Nové Lauby residential project is one of the most important projects. Can you tell us about its current state?
The construction of Nové Lauby is in the finishing phase. Inside, preparations are underway for the handover of the units to their owners, which should take place in the second half of October. Approximately 50% of the residential units have finished tiling, furnishings and radiators are being assembled, and the flats are being decorated at the moment. Once this work is completed, the final timber flooring and internal interior doors will be installed. Together with the wooden floors, the common areas, i.e. corridors, stairwells, and garages, will be completed.
In the exterior, the final finishing of the facade is being carried out, the scaffolding has been dismantled, and some parts are already visible to visitors to the centre of Ostrava. These works also include the completion of the railings and various claddings, which are scheduled for completion by the end of September. At the same time, the green roof on the entire ground plan of the houses will be started soon. This will be followed by the completion of the plinth part of the facade, but only after the scaffolding has been completely dismantled. After that, the construction fencing will be dismantled, and there will be a big surprise.
It is not far from Ostrava to Beskydy. The Beskydy Gate, is it just one of many projects or a new look on leisure activities?
We are always happy to participate in projects that come up with a new and fresh perspective on the use of public spaces. Developers usually do not equip their projects with leisure areas because it is costly and can make one flat tens of thousands more expensive, which is not desirable. It is good that the public sector has focused on the meaningful use of public spaces in recent years, and leisure complexes are springing up like mushrooms. We had the opportunity to build a Community Centre for the Ostrava Poruba district a few years ago with a huge leisure complex by the Pustkovec pond, aimed at children from a very young age to older adults, designed by the Ostrava architect David Kotek. Our latest project is the Beskydy Gate in Frýdlant nad Ostravicí, where not only children but also adults will find something to do. The whole project is set in the existing development. It offers sports activities in the form of workout, parkour, and climbing, as well as cultural activities in the amphitheatre and adjacent café. It is evident that people have become quite fond of this concept of leisure, as the area is used not only in the summer but also in the winter.
Thank you for the interview.
