Sustainable Design with Reinforced Concrete and Aluminium Composite Façade in Prague | QARTA Architektura | Fragment Apartments

QARTA Architektura's Fragment Apartments in Karlín, Prague, blend historical and modern contexts, transforming an industrial district into a vibrant living space. Featuring a monumental David Cerný sculpture, the design's two converging wings optimize sunlight and connect with the public space. Constructed with a reinforced concrete structure and an aluminium composite panel façade, the apartments incorporate sustainable technologies like green roofs and solar panels, highlighting a commitment to contemporary living and environmental responsibility. Read more on SURFACES REPORTER (SR):

Fragment Apartments transform a former industrial district into a vibrant part of Prague with a striking design that integrates public spaces and features a notable David Cerný sculpture.

Context and Design Integration

The Fragment Apartments bridge the gap between Karlín’s preserved scale and the modernist Invalidovna housing estate.

Their design features two converging arms that reflect the site’s trapezoidal shape and contrasts traditional city blocks with modernist structures, highlighted by a pixelated façade. The project respects the nearby historic Invalidovna while presenting a contemporary contrast.

Architectural Form and Context

The building's two volumes are set on a transparent plinth, with upper fragments that adapt to both interior and exterior changes. The cascading design addresses traffic concerns on Rohanské nábreží while leveraging local features like views of Vítkov Hill and proximity to Kaizl Orchards.

This form optimizes sunlight for apartments, and the projecting boxes create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, enhancing the façade’s visual impact and human scale.

Building Facade and Sustainability

Fragment Apartments feature diverse rental units with efficient design and maintenance.

The reinforced concrete structure preserves the original design, while the aluminium composite panel façade reflects its evolving character. Sustainable features include green roofs, solar panels, heat pumps, and advanced water management, supported by an underground water source.

“What we value most about the whole process is that the building form hasn’t changed from the initial sketches to the complete building, and not just for aesthetic reasons but for technical reasons, too,” says lead architect David Wittasek.

Public Space Integration

The design emphasizes openness and transparency, connecting seamlessly with the historic Invalidovna building and park.

The building's split form guides visitors to a covered area featuring sculptures, greenery, and water elements, creating a serene environment. The public ground floor includes shops and services, and the courtyard offers a tranquil, partially paved, and landscaped retreat.

Project Details

Collaborators