The façade of a modernist building features a grid of white rectangular panels and multiple rows of windows. The ground floor has large glass shopfront windows displaying hanging plants and the text Kadeřnický Salon printed on the glass.
A street view in a city centre shows a modern glass-fronted office building nestled between two older, cream-coloured buildings. A blue sign reading SKY ICE BAR hangs on the left corner, whilst pedestrians and a person walking a small dog stroll along the stone-paved pavement.

Sometimes, a building captures my attention for reasons that aren’t always immediately obvious.

Palác Alfa is an inter-war complex of retail and housing in the functionalist style, designed by Czech architect Bohuslav Fuchs. It is the retail element which interests me the most – an intricately detailed arcade featuring curved glass, metal window frames and balustrades, and a clock to make Preston bus station turn green with envy.

The current interior is primarily a result of post-war reconstruction, with the arcade having been severely damaged during the war. Original functionalist details have also been restored during later reconstructions, such as when the original cinema in the basement was adapted for use by the HaDivadlo theatre.

I didn’t enter the arcade when I visited because I didn’t realise what awaited me inside, but there are great photos of the interior on the Alfa Passage website.

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