Písečník 94 Inspiration Centre

The non-profit EkoCentrum Brno has been carrying out its activities continuously since 1990 and is one of the leading organizations in the Czech Republic offering long-term projects and campaigns focused on promoting an environmentally friendly and healthy lifestyle.

The Písečník workers’ colony emerged at the beginning of the 20th century in a former sand quarry. Since 2014, EkoCentrum Brno has been active here in reconstructing an original house with a garden from the 1930s and is creating a space that is open to all who want to experience the atmosphere of this almost village-like enclave. The centre also offers inspiration from the lives of our ancestors. 

The Písečník 94 Inspiration Centre is open to residents and visitors to Brno three times a week and during themed events even outside of these hours. In the spirit of the idea “we are inspired by the lives of our ancestors,” the centre offers visitors relaxation, learning, and experiences. Among other things, they can view the impressive sand wall at the edge of the former quarry, a herb garden, and the renovated house. By shopping at the charming second-hand bookstore, antiques shop, or eco-friendly product store, visitors directly support this unique non-profit project. Písečník is a place for all generations, offering relaxation in the garden under the sand wall, an original play area for children, and a tour of the original residential house. 

Part of the centre also includes an exhibition from 2016 which, in collaboration with Petr Svoboda from the Methodology Centre for Modern Architecture in Brno of the National Heritage Institute and Zbyněk Zavadil from EkoCentrum Brno, focuses on the history and architectural form of the little-known Písečník workers’ colony. The exhibition’s twelve panels trace the creation of Brno’s emergency colonies and, through historical photographs, show the changing life in Písečník. It also discusses the sensitive renovation of house no. 94, which now houses EkoCentrum Brno. The content of the exhibition was later expanded into a publication, Brněnský Písečník.