HOCHTIEF VSB, Division 8, the Ostrava section, as the general contractor, is reconstructing the existing building and extending it with an annex for new rooms. The construction began on May 12th 2006 and will be completed by June 1st 2007. Total costs are expected to exceed CZK 69 million.

Due to insufficient finances, cutbacks were made in available office space when the building was originally constructed, having been reduced by approximately twenty percent. This mainly affected rooms set aside for filed and archived documents, and in later years there proved to be a shortage of such facilities, leading to spaces being rented outside the building in order to solve the issue. Additionally, the activities of the courthouse have gradually changed over time, placing a great demand on office space in the building, a difficulty further compounded by an increase in the number of employees.

The main task is to alter the structure of the existing courtroom and annex a separate wing, which is to feature rooms that are very much lacking at present. It will comprise file stores, hearing rooms and offices for judges. Moreover, the court is completely devoid of a separate auction room with storage facilities - spaces that are required for holding auctions.

With respect to safety requirements, it has been decided that the judges’ offices are to be located separately and not be accessible by the public. Besides this, entrances purely for use by judges to a number of the proceedings halls will be installed.

A growing demand for information technology has not been overlooked, with spaces for a server and all necessary equipment being incorporated in the present building. Furthermore, a public counter, which is currently absent, has to be added and the entrance stairs modified to avoid the steps and paving freezing in winter.

Plans for the building project are based upon a scheme from the year 2000. The new annex will lie on the western border of the building plot. It will be joined to the existing structure by linking corridors. The construction of the new wing will create a courtyard to be utilised for essential services and will provide a number of parking spaces. In terms of architecture, the annex is to be a simple block shape comprising three storeys.

The long established green areas that lend the courthouse its distinctive appearance will be affected to the least degree possible. Plans also take into account car parking facilities on site, with alterations being made to the present car park in the north part of the plot and other parking bays for use by the public being provided in front of the building. The car park for employees will feature bicycle sheds.