Filip Kašík: Building a Modern Metropolis
„For me, work is always personal. I don't believe a company has a soul, but I do believe the people within it do.“
Construction is often perceived as a world of cold budgets and technical blueprints. However, Filip Kašík brings a different kind of emotion and personal commitment to this segment. After his role in TOP ESTATES' construction division expanded from production director to the company's executive management, he faces the task of proving that even in a complex urban environment, it is possible to build iconic structures.
Architecture as a Commitment to the Surroundings
In recent years, the TOP ESTATES portfolio has featured projects that ambitiously transform the face of Prague's districts. One of the most significant milestones is the recently completed Barrandez-Vous, which for Filip Kašík represents the essence of the company's philosophy. It's not just about building; it's about urbanism in a broader sense. "Barrandez-Vous clearly shows how we at TOP ESTATES think about housing. It's not just about the houses themselves, but about the whole – the architecture, the public space, and most importantly, whether people will feel good living there," Kašík explains. The project has already garnered numerous professional awards, but for the implementation team, its long-term functionality is key.
The future direction of TOP ESTATES is defined by new residential projects in Smíchov. With their daring shapes and facades, the Smíchov buildings aspire to become new landmarks in the area.
„We dedicate a lot of effort to the foundation and securing of buildings. It will be a good opportunity to showcase all our experience in how contemporary architecture can be built in a complex urban environment with respect for its surroundings.“
Concurrently, preparations are underway for the boutique residential project Villa Frame in Strahov. This will be exceptional housing, set in greenery, benefiting from beautiful views of Prague. Construction is planned to commence no earlier than the second half of 2027.
Construction Management: A Recipe for Uncertainty
The current market faces a cocktail of unfavourable factors: from extremely slow permitting processes and unstable energy prices to a critical shortage of competent personnel. In this situation, TOP ESTATES relies on a construction management system, which allows them to keep a firmer hand on the tiller.
"Our greatest added value is our ability to anticipate and respond to the possibilities of the construction market, which means significant savings in money and time," says Filip Kašík. Although he admits that keeping projects perfectly on schedule and within the anticipated budget is sometimes not fully achievable, the combination of precise engineering and the courage to do things differently can, in his opinion, significantly reduce risks.
His new role in the company's management, to which he was invited by owners Petr Teplý and Dušan Dvořák, is a confirmation of this path. "This change in my work hasn't actually altered anything. I see it more as a reward and a confirmation of trust in my work and in the work of the great people in my team. If you want to manage a mechanism like construction, you can't do it properly without greater responsibility," he adds. His priority remains the efficiency and predictability of construction, values that are the most precious currency in the turbulent construction sector.
From Construction Journal to Football Pitch
Although he admits that he leaves a piece of himself in every project, he is able to find the necessary balance outside of construction sites. His great passion is independent travel. He tries to pass this sense of adventure and responsibility on to his children, who accompany him on these independent expeditions around the world.
However, a significant part of his free time in recent years has been taken up by his role as a youth football coach in his native Bystrc. "It's hell on earth with them; they don't listen, they lose balls and water bottles and they're constantly fighting. But when I walk through my native Bystrc and hear 'hello coach!' from the tram, it fills me with joy and hope that maybe one day they will be as close to sport as I am," Filip Kašík concludes with a smile.
This humanity and ability to lead a team, whether it's hundreds of workers on construction sites or a group of young footballers, makes him an atypical figure in Czech development – a manager who builds on relationships as strongly as on concrete and steel.
Photo and source: Lenka Králová, Ondřej Košík, Adresa Magazine
Visualisations: TOP ESTATES