Perhaps you’ve wondered about the story behind this striking building: Butterfly Karlín. It is not just another office building. It’s a statement. It breathes.
The Butterfly Karlín stands in Prague’s Karlín district. This area is known for its industrial history. Yet it also boasts a vibrant, modern character. The building’s design reflects this duality.
CMC Architects drew inspiration from Karlín’s past. They envisioned an elliptical, bi-winged structure. This form nods to the area’s machine factory history. At the same time, it embraces the organic nature of nearby Žižkov Hill. The Butterfly Karlín is a conceptual marriage of opposing forces.
Notice the building’s dynamic facades. They are designed to resemble a living organism. More than 40,000 plants adorn the exterior. These plants grow and change with the seasons. They also insulate the building and produce oxygen. The vertical gardens improve the surrounding acoustics, too.
The Butterfly Karlín isn’t just about aesthetics. It also has ecological goals. It boasts a high level of energy certification. It aims to provide visual and physical comfort to its users. The Butterfly Karlín is intended as a “living work”. It enhances the sensory environment around it.
Step inside the central atrium. It’s designed as a space for the building to “breathe”. People can step outside while still feeling inside. The atrium is a multi-functional space. Curves surround you. Greenery engulfs you. Water features create a relaxing atmosphere. The atrium can also transform into an active event space.
The architects sought to create a dialogue between the building and Karlín. They collaborated with Maxim Velcovsky of LASVIT. Together, they created original art pieces for the entry lobbies. These pieces celebrate Karlín’s pioneers.
Each lobby features a portrait. These portraits depict important figures from Karlín’s history. Figures like Křižík, Kolben, Princess Karolina, and actress Scheinpflugova. Each portrait contains over 3,500 hand-blown glass balls. These “water drops” create a visual link to the building’s organic architecture.
These portraits are visible from the outside. At night, the building seems to disappear. Then Karlín’s historical figures come to life from within the Butterfly Karlín.
The Butterfly Karlín offers more than just office space. It includes showrooms, cafes, and restaurants on the ground floors. Above, you’ll find open-space office floors. Underground parking spans two levels.
Completed between 2016 and 2018, the Butterfly Karlín has become a landmark. It exemplifies successful regeneration. It combines history, nature, and art. It’s a building that truly lives. It connects to its surroundings and its community. As you continue your tour, consider how this building embodies the spirit of Karlín.