Brno, June 3 (BD) – After having deteriorated for decades, the tram stop finally underwent a major restoration last year. Yesterday – June 2, 2017 – the tram stop regained its original purpose.
The unique functionalist tram stop at Obilní Trh was designed by architect and town planner Oskar Poříska in 1926 along with 4 others. Only this one has survived by now. Yesterday, after 91 years since its construction, it started to serve again to Brno’s passengers.
Extensive professional and very sensitive reconstruction of the 20s tram stop was successfully conducted by architects Tomáš Rusín and Ivan Wahla from Atelier RAW, Ltd. “Now we can finally say that we have succeeded not only to preserve the tram stop, but what’s more, to return it to its original form designed by Oskar Poříska. It is essential to preserve its original function, too. ” evaluates the results of the recovery Tomáš Rusín.
“The original elements of the steel glazed side panels, as well as original doors were restored. The original glass rear wall lining that didn’t survive was restored in its original dimensions. Floors and scale grades as well as the benches are made of artificial stone as in the original solution,” says architect Wahla.
“Recovery was successfully completed within the planned deadline with no defects or backlogs. The contract price for the renewal of the stop including extended requirements of the National Heritage Institute is 2,668,959 Czech crowns,” adds Petr Liškutin, head of the Department of Investment and Management of Residential Buildings of Brno-center district.
Oskar Poříska, architect and town planner, was born in Brno on 12 September 1897. He is an author of many buildings in Brno such as the City Accommodation Office in Nádražní Street (1928), school buildings (Kamenačky, Tyrš Primary School), or department stores (Convalaria, Česká Street). In the 1930s he designed an extensive complex of Brno Social Welfare office buildings with a hospital and flats in Bohunice. After the War, he worked at Research Institute of Development and Architecture (VÚVA) until 1970. Oskar Poříska passed away in Brno on 31 May, 1982.
Title picture: Brno-stred.cz
