THE CIVIC COUNTER

Located on Zámečnická Street—a key pedestrian link between Náměstí Svobody and Dominikánské náměstí—the centre redefines the typology of tourist information as adaptable civic infrastructure. Beyond providing orientation, it operates as a cultural interface, hosting micro-exhibitions, presenting locally made products, and accommodating small events. Its rotating content, developed in collaboration with Brno-based designers and institutions, keeps the space closely connected to the city’s evolving cultural scene.
Working within a protected heritage building, the intervention carefully balances preservation with activation. The design follows the original architectural rhythm of the façade, which had been altered over time by sloping terrain and ad hoc modifications. New openings respect the building’s tectonic logic, while the removal of window sills restores transparency and visual continuity with the street. A lightweight external hood unifies signage, improves accessibility, and declutters the façade. Developed in consultation with heritage authorities, this façade strategy also allows phased implementation to minimize disruption to existing tenants.
Inside, the compact interior is organised around a single sculptural insert that integrates reception, workspace, retail, storage, and display into one cohesive element. Subtle shifts in form define different interactions—desks for staff and visitors, niches for products and publications, and concealed storage—while maintaining clear circulation. As daylight enters the space, iridescent panels capture and scatter light, creating shifting gradients throughout the day.
The insert was developed with DURO Design, a Brno-based fabrication studio specialising in advanced metalwork. After extensive prototyping, the final finish was achieved using titanium nitride applied through a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process, producing subtle iridescent variations on each stainless steel panel. This luminous surface contrasts with the grounded tactility of the travertine base, expressing the project’s central ambition: a dialogue between permanence and transformation, heritage and the evolving identity of contemporary Brno.
Though modest in scale, TIC Brno demonstrates how even small civic spaces can combine cultural programming, architectural clarity, and public identity. For KOGAA, the project reflects a broader approach to city-making—where design acts as a framework for everyday urban experience and restraint becomes a radical response within the visually saturated historic centre.