overview about the place This functionalist building, Prague's first high-rise, was constructed in 1932—1934 for the General Pension Institute, and was taken over by the Central Trade Union Council in 1951. It has been a listed building since 1968. It is particularly impressive for its timeless architecture, quality materials and plenty of light. It offers lots of ways to enjoy yourself. Don't forget to head up to the Rooftop to check out one of the programmes regularly held there, or just chill out a drink or coffee and savour the unique view of Prague. more about the place Radost Rooftop 52-metre-high observation deck admission to the Rooftop depend on the programme Rooftop open during the summer season concerts, DJs, dancing, cinema, morning workouts, summer cinema, café up-to-date information on programmes history The functionalist Dům Radost, Prague’s first high-rise building, was designed by the architects Josef Havlíček and Karel Honzík between 1932 and 1934 for Všeobecný penzijní ústav (the General Pension Institute). It was taken over by the Central Council of Trade Unions in 1951. The building has been listed since 1968. The first skyscraper in Czechoslovakia was built on the site of a former gasworks between 1932 and 1934. After the Pension Insurance Act was passed in 1929, it was decided that a new building was needed to house the pension institute. The project was entrusted to two young architects — Josef Havlíček and Karel Honzík — who, influenced by French architect Le Corbusier, prepared a design for a functionalist building with a cross-shaped floor plan that would guarantee optimal daylight for all the offices. This unusual cross-shaped floor plan was also lined with light ceramic tiles measuring 20 × 40 cm, giving rise to the popular name of “Tile House”. The north and west wings were designed with eight storeys, the east and south wings with thirteen. The design was, however, much more modern than the brief. In fact it went far beyond it — a steel skeleton, continuous lines of windows, air conditioning (the first American-type air conditioning in Prague) and a standardised floor plan, based on a series of office cells measuring 3.4 × 5.6 m. The two architects had to endure several years of campaigning by their opponents and competitors and lengthy negotiations before their plan was finally approved. However, due to the economic crisis, another battle began, this time between the lobbies of competing suppliers to change the original design in their favour. The brickworks protested against the ceramic tile cladding, the woodworkers refused the steel windows, the concrete workers were against having a steel supporting structure… The architects even prepared procurement plans for both steel and concrete — in the end the latter won out. On 1 April 1932, construction began and the General Pension Institute was opened two years later. A total of 610 minimal office units (10 980 m² of net office space) were constructed in the building. The southern wing originally housed apartments, while the northern wing was designed for commercial purposes. The General Pension Institute provided old-age and disability insurance to Czechoslovak private employees between 1918 and 1948. In June 1948, the General Pension Institute was abolished and taken over by Ústřední národní pojišťovna (Central National Insurance Company). From 1952, the building was gradually taken over by the Central Council of Trade Unions and finally acquired in 1957. The building has had new owners since 2019, and has been renamed Dům Radost (House of Joy). The complex is currently undergoing major refurbishment. At the end of the project, the Žižkov “Tile House” will be transformed into a living space embracing art, creativity and new ideas. Part of the building will remain reserved for rental, providing offices with a view, art studios and other non-traditional spaces.