Reconstruction of a family house

The subject of the reconstruction was half of a duplex that was built according to a typified project as low-budget housing in the early 20th century. The same type of development was applied to a wider area defined by two parallel streets. The duplexes have a main façade with a front garden oriented to the northeast, while the garden opens to the opposite side. Historically, small structures like pigsties were situated in the gardens, which, however, have in many cases disappeared or been replaced by newer buildings. In the case of the addressed parcel, however, the annex has been preserved and is used as a storage space. The assignment was formulated by the investor as a reconstruction, extension, and connection of the house with the adjacent garden. The investor's wish was to adapt the current layout to the family's current needs.

Among the priorities of the assignment were:
1) Creating an appropriate entrance to the building (vestibule, cloakroom).

2) Connecting the main spaces of the social zone – kitchen and living room. Resolving the location of the study.

3) Creating a winter garden for growing succulents.

4) Expanding the attic, resolving the location of the children's room.

1) The original vestibule, due to its construction condition, was removed and replaced with a new structure of the same width. This volume is extended to the southern face of the building, allowing operational connection of the house with both the street and the garden. The object contains a number of storage spaces and can be separated into "clean" and "operation" parts using sliding doors. A vertical window opening is located on the western façade of the extension, closing the axis of the corridor that connects to the vestibule.

2) The opening between the kitchen and the living room was enlarged. Adjacent to the living room is the study (originally used as a children's room). The study can also be used as a guest room. Thanks to the sliding doors, the degree of connection among all three spaces can be adjusted.

3) As another part of the social zone, a winter garden was built adjacent to the southern face of the building. In the cold season, succulents are stored here, and the winter garden functions as a temperature buffer with the adjacent kitchen and dining area. In summer, the glazed wall of the winter garden slides open, and the space effectively becomes an exterior area. However, the solid roof of the winter garden remains, serving as a sun shield.

4) The quiet zone (bedroom, children's room, and bathroom) is located in the attic. The original position of the bedroom has been preserved; only the ceiling needed to be replaced with a new one. The children's room is newly built, with a resting area at an elevated level. From the children's room, there is access to the terrace on the roof of the new entrance volume. A new bathroom with a dormer was created on part of the southern side of the attic. The bathroom on the ground floor remains as an emergency option – with the added function of washing and drying clothes.

As for the external appearance of the building, the concept of color and material solutions is simple. The original volume retains the quality of original surfaces. The neutral břízolit plaster was replaced with gray plaster, and the character of the roofing and the base remains unchanged. The new volumes (the extension of the entrance, terrace, winter garden, and dormer) are assigned a uniform color - white. Given that the original street façades were adorned with stucco decorations, this fact is recalled through artistic shorthand. The geometry of the original decoration was engraved into the top layer of the new plaster and highlighted with white paint.