Why Perspektiv Research was created

What led you to start your own research lab?
We’ve been toying with the idea of a Research Lab for a long time, we like challenges and we want to bring new knowledge and technology to our projects. During the preparation of our four-storey wooden office building, we realized that the professional public and architects are not sufficiently informed about the possibilities of building multi-storey wooden buildings.

Although we have a lot of inspiration from abroad, we still see very little real experience translated into practice on the Czech market. This project was specific in that we had to find our own way to bring the project to fruition. We want to share the experience and knowledge we have gained so that we will see many more similar projects in the near future. At the same time, we are working on projects in public space, where blue-green infrastructure is a recurring theme. Unfortunately, we often see the term overused as a buzzword rather than a real application of its principles in reality. There are several reasons for this, such as lack of knowledge of the issue, economic demands, legislation or lack of confidence of the client in the given options.

Were you inspired by any studies?

We lacked a similar platform in the Czech environment, which is traditional in large foreign studios. The idea of establishing the Perspectives Research Lab has been in the making for some time. The driving force was the realization of our multi-storey wooden building, during the construction of which we met with partial distrust even among the professional public. We knew that the inspiration of the neighbouring Austrian way to wooden buildings would not be enough in Czech conditions. We have to take into account the different legislative standards that apply in other countries. We like the hands-on approach to our own research lab by the northerners Henning Larsen and White Arkitekter

What are your goals? What do you expect from Perspektiv Research lab?

Within architecture, we are witnessing a shift in the approach to the natural environment. We believe that the architecture that will emerge in the years to come will be a winner in terms of quality over quantity. We need to build better to ensure that the buildings and spaces that are created are needed, loved and used for generations to come. This also depends on the materials, technologies and elements we use. We want to share our experience with the professional and general public. The aim is to create a guide/manual on the issue in the form of case studies and a network of experts.

Is research in architecture important to you? What can it bring?

We see research as fuel for innovation and growth in architectural practice. Education and learning new information is an essential part of our work. Research from abroad is a welcome source of information, but it is not always applicable in local conditions. Within our practice, which has grown and diversified considerably over the last 3 years, we now have the right conditions and resources to acquire new knowledge that we want to use for the benefit of the architectural community.
What and how will the lab be involved?
The first topic we are currently focusing on is multi-storey wooden buildings. In the future, however, we expect to work on the topics of blue-green infrastructure or energy. The results will be published regularly on our website. The final culmination of the researched topic should be a comprehensive publication and conference for the professional public.

Why wood buildings first and what other topics will follow?

In the Czech Republic, there is currently a standard with a height limit of four storeys. In the Czech Republic we have limits for wooden structures of 12 m fire height and other restrictions. Despite this, however, a minimum of such buildings are being built. A variety of factors – particularly the opaque system of standards and investor concerns – are preventing this. We don’t need to build wooden skyscrapers right away. But we should try to raise awareness of the possibilities of building multi-storey wooden buildings, which is not so complicated after all.

Who will be involved in Perspektiv Research?

We involved Matěj Beránek, editor-in-chief of earch.cz and a journalist who focuses on architectural topics. Matěj, as a publicist, conducts research and interviews leading specialists in the field of wood construction. Another person is Martin Sobota, founder of the Dutch studio Cityförster. Martin specializes in architecture and urban planning with socio-economic impact. He has recently led two research projects for the Dutch government: Carbon-Based Design and Steps to Zero. Other invited experts are from the University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings at the Czech Technical University or the Wood Research and Development Institute.

Are you counting on public outputs? What kind?

We want the outputs to be freely available to all. We therefore plan to publish them regularly on our website. Interested parties can subscribe to our newsletter, where we will send them new content on a regular basis. We would like to conclude the project with a conference for the professional public. Subsequently, we want to publish a comprehensive publication on the topic.