In 2016, an international architecture competition was held to design a new administrative center for the Czech Forestry Commission. CHYBIK+KRISTOF’s ‘Forestry in the Forest’ project won the competition in 2017. Seven years later, the firm has revealed images and plans for the largest wooden structure in the Czech Republic.
The design establishes a permanent relationship with the surrounding landscape and exemplifies the benefits of timber construction. The headquarters will feature a timber structure comprising five elongated sections, each dedicated to a different department and interconnected by a central main hall.
Internally, office spaces are organized around shared areas designed for collaboration, workshops, and focused individual work. Landscaped green courtyards separate the modules, providing additional space for building users and enhancing integration with the surrounding forest.
According to Ondrej Chybik, wood was chosen for its versatility, high performance, and sustainability. The project aims to promote local expertise in timber construction, reduce construction emissions, and support the local economy.
The new headquarters is expected to serve as a model for a broader shift toward timber construction, leveraging the country’s role as a major producer and exporter of wood. The project reflects the Lesy sobě (“Forests to Yourself”) ethos, emphasizing maximizing the value of local timber through domestic processing.
The design incorporates passive strategies to reduce energy consumption, showcasing the potential of wood construction through various techniques. The building’s green roofs are designed to retain water, which would be collected on-site or used for irrigating the garden atriums.
Image Courtesy: archdaily.com
