zmrzka.

Zmrzka. at Moravské náměstí 14b is not only a place for lovers of sweets, but also a space where Brno’s history meets contemporary design. It is located in the northern part of the square, which was created in the 19th century after the demolition of the medieval city fortifications. Building No. 14 is part of the representative Ringstrasse, developed on the edge of the historic centre in the spirit of Vienna’s urban boulevards.

The building itself most likely dates from between 1860 and 1900, originally constructed as a residential apartment house with ground-floor commercial use. It has witnessed Brno’s transformation from the Austro-Hungarian era through the First Republic to the present day. Nearby stand other significant buildings, such as the neo-Gothic Bergl Palace (Muzejka) and the functionalist Scala cinema.

The new tenants decided on a complete and sensitive renovation. Their aim was to create a modern interior that harmonises with the historic surroundings—from the shopfront design to the chosen shading. The interior design was created by Patricie Hanáková, who is also a co-owner of the space.

The operators’ relationship to architecture is shaped by their everyday contact with the environment in which they live and work. They see architecture primarily as a way of shaping the quality of urban life—how space connects people and influences their experience. This perspective led them to support the festival, which encourages people to “look up” and notice places they often pass without a second thought.