AFI Vokovice Prague

AFI Vokovice stands out with modern architecture

As a real estate and investment company, AFI Europe focuses on the development of large-scale commercial projects as well as residential buildings in Central and Eastern Europe. In mid-2018, the modern building complex AFI Vokovice in Prague was completed – an object built for the future with heroal systems. This building aimed at and in fact achieved the LEED Platinum certification, not least thanks to the material used. Aspects such as energy-efficiency and sustainability are of special significance in this project.

The building was named after its convenient location: from the Prague district of Vokovice, you may quickly access the city centre as well as International Václav Havel Airport Prague – a perfect location for companies, retailers and caterers.

A successful partnership

Sipral is one of the leading façade fabricators in the Czech Republic and has been working closely with heroal, the aluminium systems supplier, for years. During construction of the V Tower, a modern residential tower in Prague, in 2017, synergies were merged: more than 1,700 installed heroal elements ensure a high degree of transparency, which not only provides the residents with a flowing transition between the outside and inside, but also offers impressive views, including Prague’s old town. “Not every manufacturer in the industry has the ability to reliably realise such complex projects and satisfy our high expectations. That offers outstanding quality ‘made in Germany’.” says Leopold Bares, Chairman of the Board of Spiral.

Thanks to this successful partnership, Spiral also realised the object AFI Vokovice using aluminium systems made by heroal. In view of the LEED certification, a thorough investment is worthwhile because of the ecological footprint of aluminium, which, as a material, guarantees a central aspect of sustainability. The energy-efficiency of the installed elements with reduced material usage was also taken into consideration: heroal uses up to 85% recycled aluminium in the production of the complete system portfolio, ranging from windows, doors and façades to roller shutters, sun protection and roller doors. That way, 95% less energy is used compared to using new aluminium, without any loss of quality. Aluminium systems are quite durable thanks to its outstanding weather resistance, natural protection against corrosion as well as high material stability. Minimum wear is guaranteed, even with countless opening and closing processes.

Equipped with heroal systems all around

Both building parts are furnished with aluminium products of the highest quality, including almost 30 heroal D 72 door system elements and the heroal C 50 HI façade around the shopping arcade on the ground floor, and also approx. 1,000 object-specific heroal W 72 window system profiles. More than 600 heroal W 72 VF ventilation flaps provide fresh air even at great heights - and all that with a homogenous façade design. This is because the heroal W 72 VF ventilation flap makes an anti-drop device superfluous thanks to its small aperture width. Furthermore, over 800 heroal VS Z sun protection system elements were integrated into the window modules. The heroal Zip-Screen system consists of translucent fabric which is installed in front of the window. By reflecting the sunlight, the system reduces the solar radiation by up to 75% without loss of natural sunlight. That way, the system guarantees a pleasant climate on hot days and allows for regulation of room atmosphere. At the same time, heroal VS Z provides optimal glare, screen and heat protection. The sun protection system saves cooling and heating costs compared to traditional thermal insulation glazing, as the heat transfer can be controlled as needed. At the same time, UV radiation is filtered by up to 98%.

Green Good Design Award

For their realisation of the AFI Vokovice project in Prague, heroal received the Green Good Design Award in 2019. The Green Good Design Award is among the Good Design Awards founded in 1950 and is presented every year. Jury members consisting of renowned designers, architects and journalists select projects, products, technologies and concepts which follow an outstanding idea of sustainability.