Budilova villa in Kostelec could be transformed into a smaller museum with an exhibition of Fragner

Kostelec nad Černými lesy - Budil's summer villa in Kostelec nad Černými lesy could, in a few years, transform into a smaller museum about the history of the villa and architect Jaroslav Fragner, who designed it. The functionalist monument was purchased in 2020 by local enthusiast Jan Novák. He is gradually restoring its original appearance, wants to furnish it with period furniture, and make it accessible to the public. After minor repairs, he is preparing the first larger visible modifications, specifically refurbishing the windows on the upper floor, for which he obtained a grant of over two million crowns this autumn from MAS Podlipansko.

Novák stumbled upon the opportunity to buy it; the previous owners had not originally wanted to sell the villa. "My intention played a role; the owners appreciated that I would like to make it accessible one day. The house has a history, a famous architect, but there's not much about him anywhere. There is a Gallery of Jaroslav Fragner, but that's just a name; there is lacking something where you could really see his work,” said Novák.

According to Novák, the building, with evident influences from Swiss architect Le Corbusier, is exceptional also because it has preserved a large number of original elements, such as doors, staircases, fittings, or lights. "This is due to the sensitive approach of previous owners, and unlike other similar buildings, it was never transformed into, say, a kindergarten,” he added.

Currently, a historical architectural survey is being completed, which was funded by the Central Bohemian Region from the Fund for Culture and the Restoration of Monuments. For now, Novák is primarily using grants from the Ministry of Culture for repairs. "These are amounts in the hundreds of thousands for emergency conditions,” Novák added. The upcoming refurbishment of the windows on the upper floor is currently the most significant construction modification, which he hopes to accomplish by next winter. Gradually, he will strive for grants for other more expensive repairs, such as refurbishing the remaining windows, repairing the facade, or the northern terrace.

The three-story villa, set into a slope, was built in 1932 according to the designs of architect Jaroslav Fragner as a summer residence for the family of Václav Budil, director of the Kolín power plant. His family lived in the villa until 1973; the next owner was motor journalist and racer Jaroslav Hausman. In 2013, the villa was declared a cultural monument. Novák aims to complete repairs on this exceptional building by 2032 when he plans to make it accessible on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its construction. Currently, interested parties can visit the villa, for example, during the Days of Architecture. For groups of at least six people, it is possible to arrange a tour even during the reconstruction.