A true rarity

The lift was admired for many reasons. The actual 6x6 m room is luxuriously equipped. It contains an air-conditioning unit, which maintains a stable temperature of between 18 and 25 degrees. The “room” has it own signalisation equipment and also an automatic fire alarm, a washbasin with hot and cold water and drain. The automatic blind was a special “gadget”, which consisted of a button that, when pressed, hid the window behind a green blind in the case of war. The office also included a Siemens telephone, which was supplied with power from a small distributor, a deluxe wood grain interior, a rustic desk and its own company loudspeaker.

Prodej pasivního domu 5+1, Praha 9 - 184, Okolí Prahy

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Around the world, or taking the lift up the office building

This excellent idea underscores the genius of its inventor. The precision of it execution is proven by the fact that the original floor covering in the lift – Zlinolit – has survived to this day.

A deluxe building by architect Vladimír Karfík – “Baťa’s twenty-one“

A sky-scraper full of great ambition assigned the number 21, with sixteen floors and a total height of 77.5 metres. Apart from its uniqueness and luxury furnishings, this structure is also a rarity because of its ingenious lift. The lift was put into operation in 1939, while J. A. Baťa was abroad. It was only a shame that Jan A. Baťa was unable to use it himself, even though he personally recommended that the architect use a machine room by the Otis Company for it.

Corso Karlín, factory in a new coat

Ricardo Bofill enjoys having some challenges in his professional life, such as the reconstruction of the old factory complex in Karlín so that it maintained its genius loci. It was a majestic reminder of what has already vanished, but at the same time it bore traces of modernisation and luxury. The credo for the construction - to interconnect the past and the future. This opens a dialogue between the dark and clear, massive and light to the maximum degree, classic and modern.

Ricardo Bofill and his mark throughout the World

His creation is not confined just to his native Spain, but is spread throughout the world. Ricardo Bofill and the guild founded by him, Taller de Arqitectura, implemented for example the Paris representation of brands such as Christian Dior, Cartier, Decaux, Axa, corporate headquarters of Shiseido in Tokyo, building of firm Donnelley in Chicago, Barcelona Airport and other notable buildings.

Prodej luxusního mezonetu 4 + 1, Praha, Praha 5

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He is also the author of a factory where dreams literally become reality, as aptly described by his own words. Dreams and ideas materialise into concrete designs. His studio is a luxurious, superb construction in itself, where in the beginning there stood abandoned and dilapidated cement works. The building may be found on the edge of the city of Barcelona.

And how does Ricardo Bofill work? He revealed that a computer is only used by his people; he prefers pen and paper.

"I never work on a computer. I draw on paper, writing the method of the project construction. My people then process it on the computer. I think that a project incepted directly through a computer cannot be any good."