Our new home was created in a historical part of a small South Bohemian town, which, although neglected, possesses a rather strong atmosphere and potential. The place attracted us from the beginning for its distinctive character and great location. In the narrow sleepy streets, next to the grassy patch of the Kozina Square, we are hidden from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding traffic, while only a few steps separate us from the town center with shops, services and offices, schools, cinema, theater and railway station.
Studio: Atelier 111 architekti
Author: Barbora Weinzettlová
Jiří Weinzettl
Website: www.atelier111.cz
Project location: Růžová 232, 374 01 Trhové Sviny
Project country: Czech Republic
Project year: 2014
Completion year: 2021
Client: Barbora Weinzettlová and Jiří Weinzettl
Collaborator: Realization: Jiří Weinzettl Sr.
Photographer: Alex Shoots Buildings
We perceive the reconstructed house as an alternative to suburban villas which sometimes disproportionately cut out of our landscape. On a significantly smaller area, we are implementing a building program which includes a sufficiently large living room with an adjoining outdoor terrace, an attic with children’s rooms and a playroom, a bedroom with its own bathroom, a garden with fruit trees, two garage spaces and a large workshop with a car lift.
The residential building is created by connecting two neighboring houses. One of them underwent a significant reconstruction at the turn of the millennium, the other one is in a state of disrepair. We are getting rid of the unsuitable modern elements, such as a large dormer with a balcony and plastic windows. Behind brick backing we discover original stone masonry and small historical fragments which hold value for us. We respect the basic shape, scale and materiality of the original masses.
We adjust the internal disposition in an effort to make the building accessible from two sides – for pedestrians from the square and for cars from the opposite side. The large window in the gable of the courtyard facade is an answer to the unique view of the church tower. Views from the interior of the courtyards enrich the overall perception of the space. We intentionally leave the newly created openings minimalistic to create a contrast with the original traditionally divided windows.
Materials
beaver tail ceramic tile – roof
stone and ceramic masonry – walls
spruce boards – attic, vault
cement screed – floor
oak – windows, furniture, floor
spruce veneer – cladding, in built furniture
steel – staircase
compact and laminate boards – kitchen
Products and Brands
windows Rand, Noframe, Line, Intagral, Skywall, Rand Panorama — Janošík\www.janosik.cz
chairs Valencia, Ginger, Ironica — TON\www.ton.eu
sofa N701 — Ethnicraft\www.ethnicraft.com
carpets — Maimana\www.maimana.cz
oak furniture — Javorina\www.javorina.sk
pendant cone lamp — HKLIVING\www.hkliving.nl
lamp Collect High — Ferm Living\www.fermliving.com
About studio
Atelier 111 architekti was founded in 2007. Our team has gradually profiled itself, the main creators today include Barbora Ditzová, Veronika Indrová, Barbora Weinzettlová and Jiří Weinzettl, the studio´s founder. In the recent years we have been focused on designing residential and public buildings including interior design and reconstructions of public spaces in our cities. We are based in Prague and in South Bohemia. Our architecture is best characterized by contextual approach, conceptual thinking and sobriety.
About the Czech Architecture Award
The mission of the Czech Chamber of Architects (CCA), an autonomous professional body with transferred executive powers, is to cultivate public works culture in the Czech Republic and support the pursuit of excellence. In keeping with this mission, it has announced the seventh edition of the Czech Architecture Award (CAA), which extends the Chamber’s promotion of quality work by established and emerging architects. The CCA aims to map architectural production in the Czech Republic and to present quality works and human interventions in urban and natural environments to the professional and lay public and to representatives of local and national administrations.
This competition showcase is open to all architectural works completed in the Czech Republic in the previous five years (2017–2021). Previously entered works may be re-entered, provided they were not shortlisted.
As in previous years, works by Czech architects were assessed by seven accomplished foreign architects. The jury’s principal task was to nominate approximately 30 projects, which were presented at the nomination event and are included in a touring exhibition and the Award catalogue.
The jury then selected approximately 5 buildings, whose architects would be recognised as Finalists, from which they would select the winner.
The submitted works are not assessed within any categories.
The activities of the professional Academy of the Czech Architecture Award established by the Board of the Czech Chamber of Architects are an essential aspect of the CAA. Renowned figures active in the field of architecture (more than 300 academics, including architects, publicists, architecture critics and other professionals) can actively look for interesting buildings and implementations and enter them in the competition if the architects do not enter themselves.