Havelská

Havelská
The authors from the studio Qarta Architektura spent nine years working on the renovation of the house on Havelská Street. The story of this remarkable building dates back to the Romanesque period, and its continuation required a highly sensitive approach supported by a comprehensive study of connections. The house is located in the Prague Heritage Reserve and is part of the UNESCO heritage; it is also under heritage protection, thus classified as a property of cultural significance.

In the second half of the twentieth century, the house fell into disrepair, and its salvation was only possible thanks to the owner, who still works abroad. The task was to restore and return the function of a residential building, which is a true rarity in this depopulating neighborhood affected by the "tourist industry" and short-term accommodation. The descendants of the original owners also wished for a dignified and quality restoration of the family silver.

History
The earliest mentions of the building date back to the mid-14th century, when the passage or street leading through the house is documented. It is a typology known as the house above the street, which is not very common in Prague. Individually separated elements form a cohesive whole that has survived to this day. Historical views show a remarkable development of this symbiosis - in the late Middle Ages, houses stand around the passage, while in the early Baroque, the street is integrated into one of them. The last extensive late neoclassical reconstruction unified the houses and the street under one roof and facade. Nevertheless, it is a non-homogeneous conglomeration of various historical buildings and reconstructions.

Over the centuries, a number of different names have survived: House at Zahrádků, At the Black Garden, At the Cortesiis, Leather House, Lederhaus, Tandelmarkt, and Bazaar. The names indicate a transformation of function from a residential building to a commercial one during the early Baroque and back to a residential building in the neoclassical period.

Architectural Concept
"The long history of the building is intertwined with a number of circumstances that have evolved relatively complexly over time, affecting its form and function. It has thus become an architectural assemblage of many epochs - for centuries, a natural process of gradual reconstruction has taken place here. Uncovering historical layers has brought many surprises and understandably raised questions about contemporary building approaches in constructions and details. Special attention was required particularly for the craftsmanship of construction details. The atmosphere of the house is unique, so we considered how to bring new layers here without disrupting it while also reflecting contemporary approaches. This applies both to the use of technologies and materials and to the conception of new principles in constructions and forms," states architect David Wittassek.

The authors of the reconstruction chose a concept based on revealing and aestheticizing hidden historical layers, which they then contrasted with new architectural elements. They selected their materiality as a unifying element - metal, glass, and concrete subtly permeate the house in their natural pure form while guiding the residents through its history. From new floors in the Romanesque cellars, through exposed remains of the Gothic pointed arch on the facade, to the neoclassical roof structure. This principle was applied throughout the reconstruction. The surfaces in the interiors consist of scraped plasters revealing layers of previous paintwork. Thus, the historical relic was transformed into a new aesthetic element.

Doors and windows were documented and restored, while found segments of floral painting on the frames were left intact. New elements, such as bathrooms and toilets, were inserted into the building as minimalist blocks that touch the historical constructions as little as possible. The replaced trusses retained their natural materiality, contrasting with the original framework. The neoclassical rectangular staircase was complemented by a concrete staircase. It was anchored to the load-bearing wall and only slightly set back from the wall at a few points to evoke a new layer at first glance. With its simple form, the house harmoniously connects to the attic with atypical apartments, where new elements were also inserted. Their expression is likewise contrasting and aims to reflect the present.

Roofing of the Courtyards
The authors managed to find historical documentation for the roofing of the main courtyard above the passage. The riveted structure with a glass roof was removed for safety reasons during the bombing of Prague in 1945. The current reconstruction restored the courtyard roofing in an adapted form, with a historicizing aesthetic of a riveted truss structure according to the preserved documentation. The roofing over the small courtyard was restored, and the glass roofing over the circular neoclassical staircase was renewed.

Existing Layer
A detailed study determined what is "untouchable," meaning that it must be restored in an intact way. This included facades, openings, carpentry, and locksmith products. The house also contained original plasters, ceramic floors, and solid wooden floors (the so-called Vienna crosses). Furthermore, there were historical ceiling beams, ceiling structures, and roof constructions, as well as stone parts such as staircases, frames, and pavements.

New Layer
The residential function is important for the central part of Prague; it is only through it that natural social relationships can arise. The process of regeneration is also related to maintaining services at ground level. Thus, individual floors will continue to serve for residential use after minor modifications, while the ground floor will house spaces for a restaurant or inn. The building was originally designed as a passageway, and it will remain so. Therefore, one of the fundamental pillars of the renovation was transforming the roofing of the courtyards.

Given the standards of the 21st century, however, changes had to be made, for example, in the placement of toilets and bathrooms. The attic spaces were designed as residential, including a new access. While retaining the original roof structure, it is a thoughtful and non-invasive concept. Another significant, yet not aggressive, trace is the installed elevators.

"We integrated technology into the building so that it would not be discernible. They are incorporated into parts that did not require invasive interventions, and in parts above the last floor, they were integrated into new structures. In the part of the roof landscape, they do not disrupt the poetry of 'beautiful old Prague.' During the reconstruction of this historical house, we found that the process of restoring monuments requires open and constructive dialogue in a societal context. From this broader perspective, it is clear that new layers are permissible and often necessary in immovable cultural monuments. It is equally undeniable that the process of reconstruction must be conducted with respect and according to the rules," concludes David Wittassek.