The Vanguard project is slowly moving towards completion, which is expected to happen early next year. PSN has prepared several model lofts in the past in cooperation with Czech designers Ivanka Kowalski, OOOOX studio and SKULL studio and now it is adding the latest one. It was designed by renowned architect Michaela Záhorovská. Loft Family shows how a cozy home for a family with children can be created in a raw industrial space.
The shell & core units in the exclusive project of authentic loft living, which is being created by sensitively transforming the former Microna aircraft parts factory in Prague’s Modřany district, are gradually being taken over by the new owners to be completed to their liking. “Currently, the future residents are intensively preparing their dream lofts in cooperation with selected architects. As far as sales are concerned, less than 40% are left to be purchased, with only a few of the largest and most luxurious units available,” says Marek Padevět, PSN’s director of residential projects, adding: “At the same time, we are finalizing the common areas, especially the wellness and spa area, as well as the 60-metre roof terrace with a panoramic sauna. We are also in the process of landscaping the exterior. The representative reception area is already fully prepared.”
The exclusive lofts in the Vanguard project offer a variety of uses. Among other things, they will also stand up as modern housing for families with children who refuse to live in a mainstream way and are looking for originality and their own style. This is demonstrated by the conceptually different model loft Family. “When designing the interior, I emphasized that each member of the family of four should have their own privacy, but at the same time the character of open loft living was supported as much as possible. At the same time, I emphasised the high quality of life without compromise, which in the case of a 4-bedroom apartment is represented by, for example, two separate bathrooms. The huge airy space also allowed me to increase the floor area of the interior in a creative way. Thanks to the built-in, I managed to increase it from the original 95 m2 in the shell & core state to just under 140 m2. The layout also has the ability to change over time with the needs of the users. In the future, the children’s rooms can be separated by adding a partition between the beds and converted into a student zone with a sleeping floor with a large bed. While the gallery with the swing is used for children’s play for now, it may be used for hobbies in later stages of life. And as soon as the children start to emerge from the family nest, the parents’ bedroom can be extended,” says designer Michaela Záhorovská, who invited architect Simona Belicová to collaborate on the model loft.
To visually divide the space, the designers chose glass partitions, which provide views through the entire interior and allow daylight into every part of it. Large windows across the entire height of the floor, a characteristic feature of lofts, in turn provides a luxurious view from the 9th floor. Privacy is enhanced by the use of textiles that soften the environment and create acoustic comfort. A smart home will take care of the different lighting scenes in the rooms.
Just beyond the entrance to the loft, the view opens up to the best part – an impressive social area with beautiful views. In a small hallway, there is a hidden door to a spacious cloakroom with utility area, which is accessed by a laundry drop directly from the gallery. A large dining table then separates the kitchen area from the living area of the room. The latter consists of two reclaimed sofas in two- and three-seater versions, a designer armchair and a vintage side table. Within the living space, the children are also thought of – they will be delighted with the slide for quicker movement between floors. Underneath, there is a place that can be a hiding place for the children or perhaps a dog bed. The library on the gallery includes a folding desk for the parents’ home office.
The parents’ bedroom is accessible from the gallery through a glass partition. This is an intimate zone designed for relaxation, and the contrasting colour scheme chosen reflects this. While the entire loft is light, the parents’ bedroom and bathroom are in dark earth tones. An upholstered bed with a rooster-trail decoration is the dominant feature, perfectly matching the industrial interior.
A hidden door from the children’s rooms also opens onto the gallery. “When the children are smaller this is a very practical thing to do as parents are always quickly close by in case of emergency. There is a play and study area in the lower part of the separate rooms and cots upstairs. For the time being, the rooms in the upper part are connected and the siblings are closer to each other,” adds Michaela Záhorovská.
The loft has a terrace where, among other things, the principles of upcycling have been applied. “In the part of the terrace directly adjacent to the living space, there are two tables in addition to an outdoor rocking chair for morning coffee. Their base is made from scraps of parts of the concrete structures that were created as waste material during the construction of the Vanguard project,” concludes the architect.
The architects from OOOOX Studio designed the timeless lobby and lobby as well as the novel design of the spa & wellness area in the former fallout shelter. There is a fully equipped fitness room, Finnish sauna and steam room, cooling ice chips, a bucket of cold water and an 18-metre long glass swimming pool. You can also use the rooms with massage loungers or the hot tub. Radka Valová, co-owner of the OOOOX studio, says of the design. Artefacts such as the armoured doors or the rails above the pool have been deliberately preserved. They are complemented by interior elements that bring a sense of intimacy, such as diffusely lit luxsphere partitions. Artworks and installations will also accentuate the expression of the different environments of the Vanguard residence. The unique character of the house is emphasised by a second possible entrance – through the underground tunnel of the original escape exit. It will take or lead the visitor directly out of the cinema/party room.”
The design features of the former factory also offered the opportunity to make full use of the high load ceilings. A unique car lift runs through the centre of the building, which will take a motorbike or even a vintage car up to the doorstep.
Following the example of five-star hotels, the project includes a concierge service. Vanguard has also created a special app that allows you to reserve a time slot for the car lift, barbecue terrace, sauna or party room, call a personal elevator or open the front door remotely.
In recent years, the lower part of Modřany has been significantly modernised and transformed into an increasingly popular residential location. In the vicinity of the Vanguard project, future residents will find everything they need (e.g. restaurants, cafés and grocery stores). Fast transport connections are provided by the nearby city ring road, and there is also a bus stop right in front of the building.
Sports enthusiasts will love the location. You can go for a run, bike ride or skate on the popular cycle path along the right bank of the Vltava River. In close proximity is also a nine-hole golf course Golf & Country Hodkovičky. On the opposite bank of the river is the Velká Chuchle racecourse.
At the same time, the new building Ahoj Vanguard with 94 apartments ranging in size from 1 + kk to 4 + kk and from 22 to 238 m2, whose design emphasizes playful colours and a large amount of greenery, is growing rapidly in the immediate vicinity. The project will expand parking options for future loft owners, as over 200 new parking spaces will be created both in the garages and in front of the building.
