Architects Barbora and Ji?í Weinzettl of Atelier 111 architekti created a home for themselves in a historical part of a small Czech town. They have connected two neighbouring houses, rid them of unsuitable modern elements and reconstructed them with respect towards their history, shape, scale and materiality. Discover more after the jump.
From the architects: 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. We perceive the reconstructed house as an alternative to suburban villas which sometimes disproportionately cut out of our landscape.
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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.
Studio: Atelier 111 architekti – www.atelier111.cz
Author: Barbora Weinzettlová, Ji?í Weinzettl
Studio address: U Studánky 123/18, 170 00 Prague 7, Czech Republic
Project location: R?žová 232, 374 01 Trhové Sviny
Project country: Czech Republic
Project year: 2014
Completion year: 2021
Built-up Area: 340 m²
Gross Floor Area: 317 m²
Usable Floor Area: 288 m²
Plot size: 500 m²
Client: Barbora Weinzettlová and Ji?í Weinzettl
Photographer: Alex Shoots Buildings – www.alexshootsbuildings.com
Collaborator Realization: Ji?í Weinzettl Sr.