Soil conversion Pankrác

The long-empty attic space in a corner apartment building from the 1930s finally saw the light of day thanks to privatization and the purchase of land by one of the members of the cooperative for attic conversions. Due to the preservation of the locality and the need for a symmetrical solution, already implemented for the attic conversion on the opposite corner of the neighboring building, the volumetric solution of the attic conversion had to remain within the contours of the original truss. This greatly limited the possibilities for internal spatial and structural solutions. The rafters were left in place including the roofing, while the internal columns, tie beams, and purlins were removed from the inside and replaced with a steel structure that discreetly supports the original truss. The only volumetric change in the original gable roof is the dormer with a recessed terrace, which the apartment owners – lovers and connoisseurs of Moravian wine – use from spring to autumn, benefiting from the direct connection of the living space to the terrace with a panoramic view of half of Prague. After the removal of the tie beams of the original truss, the space inside the attic was sufficiently high to accommodate a duplex conversion, which has a varied living space, children's bedroom, bathroom, and technical facility on the lower level (6th floor), and a study, winter garden, and master bedroom on the upper level (7th floor). The central skylight that stood in the middle of the attic and prevented the utilization of the duplex at the peak of the gable roof was relocated by angling the walls of the skylight away from the ridge of the roof. On the 7th floor, a walkable metal grating was inserted into the new position of the skylight floor, so the skylight serves not only for ventilation and lighting but also as a small winter glass garden adjacent to the bedroom.

The layout of the 3+kk apartment consists of hallways, stairs, and spaces of the living room with dining area and kitchen forming one coherent space without unnecessary corridors. Every corner of this space has its assigned function, to which the interior and material solutions are subordinate - entrance with wardrobe and staircase, dining room, kitchen, terrace, library, television corner, and study. Only the bedroom, children's room, and bathroom are closed off and separated. The interconnectedness of the internal spaces is emphasized by the same material and color scheme of the orange marmoleum floors and the exposed duplex connection through the truss structure between the dining room on the 6th floor and the study on the 7th floor.

The frame-less doors at an atypical height of 2.6 m (up to the ceiling), wall paneling in the stair space, staircase, built-in wardrobes, and kitchen cabinetry are made of hand-patinated and bleached oak veneer. The kitchen island, library behind the fireplace, and TV area are made of black lacquered MDF with a high gloss finish. The backs of the kitchen and library are made of green-tinted and illuminated glass. All custom-made carpentry elements of the interior are realized by the carpenter TITA, s.r.o. The freestanding furniture pieces – dining table, coffee table, and secretary – are made of solid teak, which I provided to the owners from my travels to Asia along with some exotic decorations.

Heating, cooling, and ventilation are ensured by hidden HVAC ducts with heat recovery, while domestic hot water is provided by solar collectors. In the living room, there are swivel fireplace stoves for seasonal heating.