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Steam Engine Brewery

The brewery in Lobeč, Czechia, is a valuable monument with a rich history dating back to 1586. The brewery is located in a picturesque village of 140 inhabitants in the Kokořínsko protected landscape area. The long-term project to restore the brewery has once more enlivened the ...
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Project details

Title:Steam Engine Brewery
Entr. year: 2023
Result:Award
Country: Czech Republic
Town: Lobeč
Category type: building conservation, architectural heritage, building conservation areas and urban design, Awareness-raising, industrial and engineering structures and sites, conservation
Notes:The architects Jana and Pavel Prouza discovered the forgotten brewery when they were 30-years-old. Over a 15-year period they worked to revive the monument while fulfilling their dream of living in a monument and developing cultural activities in the countryside. The initial phase of the restoration focused on the physical preservation of the site, followed by a careful structural restoration. From 2014 onwards, the site was opened to the public with a balanced mix of cultural and business activities to ensure its future sustainability. After the restoration, the original function of beer production was re-established in the form of a small craft brewery. Environmental responsibility has been emphasised throughout the project, for example, the site uses a system of part heat pumps and part geothermal energy for heating.
Building type/ Project type: industrial heritage, Commercial building, cultural/natural heritage
Architect / Proj.leader: Ing. arch. Pavel Prouza, Ph.D.
The Jury's citation: This is a great achievement for individuals who invested a lot of time and personal resources to achieve their ambitions. It is a courageous project which sends a strong message about the importance of strong community engagement and collaboration between many different stakeholders.
Web, Links:

www.lobec.cz

Description:
The brewery in Lobeč, Czechia, is a valuable monument with a rich history dating back to 1586. The brewery is located in a picturesque village of 140 inhabitants in the Kokořínsko protected landscape area. The long-term project to restore the brewery has once more enlivened the small village and has ensured that the brewery can be enjoyed for generations to come. The project was mostly funded by the owners’ own financial resources with support also being provided from the Czech government through the Programme for the Care of Village Conservation Reserves of the Ministry of Culture, as well as the Programme of Culture for the Central Bohemian Region and the “Green Savings” Programme of the Ministry of the Environment. The European Union’s Rural Development Programme also helped finance the restoration. The brewery and malt house had been in continuous operation since the 16th century while the present-day structure has its origins in the first half of the 17th century. In the 1890s, the brewery was modernised into an industrial brewery with a steam engine. Production stopped in 1943; the site had been abandoned since the 1980s and had fallen into disrepair.