VILLA IN ČISTOVICKÁ ST., PRAGUE

The villa is located in a stable garden suburb of Prague. It replaced a former building, which would have required a tedious renovation. The plot area is quite small, which had an effect on a distinct vertical space articulation of the new house. The spatial arrangement of the rooms gradually follows a path of a comfortable spiral staircase, which is generously lit from above and lets light inside through the open stairwell. Each spatial volume fits the other like 3d Tetris, but together they form a cubic shape of the entire house. In the lowest level there is a utility room with all the technologies, half a level up a garage, half a level up an entrance hall, quarter level up a living room, half a level up a kitchen, then a study, a whole level of bedrooms and in the highest point a relaxation space with a sauna. As a whole, from the outside the house looks like a typical, two-storey house with a terrace and an extension on the roof. The height of the house doesn’t get over the height level that is common in the neighbourhood. The focal point of the house is a large interconnected volume of the living room, dining room, kitchen and a study, together forming a generous living space. Large 3,5 m high French windows connect this space with an outdoor terrace, swimming pool and overlook the entire garden. The concept of the house resembles a classic Raumplan, whereas the creative process was merely a logical answer to restrictions, arising from local regulations and a type of each room. Dimensions of each room are carefully designed to optimal proportion and to offer as good a spatial experience with each function as possible. The house is constructed using masonry, with ceilings made of cast concrete or wood. The ceiling in the living space with exposed wooden beams was inspired by historic ceilings made in the Middle Ages France and Italy. The interior spiral staircase is also made of wood. The floor finishes in the rooms are either wooden or cast on site. The outdoor terrace is made of coloured prefab concrete panels. The black plaster contains pieces of mica, dilation of each field is assured by strips of galvanized iron. Windows are made of aluminium. The interior is defined by a set of technological details, such as stainless steel mesh, glass railings, iron stair risers, glass floor above the staircase, exposed wooden ceilings etc. The interior concept is designed to sustain various changes in the interior decoration and design.