Villa for the Petrák Couple

In the design of the villa for the Petrák couple from 1936, Bohuslav Fuchs clearly aligns himself with the legacy of architect Hans Scharoun, one of the main representatives of organic tendencies in architecture. He became acquainted with Scharoun's buildings at the exhibition Apartment and Workshop (Wohnung und Werkstatt) in Wrocław, organized by the German Werkbund in 1929. Scharoun's buildings are characterized by curves, nautical details, and a typical use of natural materials, which is reflected in Fuchs's design for the villa located on the slope of Brno's Pisárky district.

The villa's facade appears unassuming at first glance; from the street, the three-story structure looks like a simple block divided by rows of horizontal windows of various sizes. However, a deep notch has been made in the mass of the building at the southern corner, creating space for a suspended staircase and a segmented terrace, the shape of which is mirrored by the roof. A reinforced concrete column supports the terrace and roof, enhancing the impression of lightness of the entire structure, while a cylindrical mass of the spiral staircase protrudes from the smooth west facade. The abundantly used circular windows in both the exterior and interior of the building, as well as on the property’s enclosing wall, emphasize the nautical character of the building. The common living areas are placed in the upper floor contrary to conventions due to the uneven terrain, while the bedrooms are located on the ground floor, and the caretaker's apartment, service quarters, and utility rooms are situated in the basement. The villa is today one of the best-preserved examples of organic functionalism in Brno.