New home with respect for nature and the past

In the narrow streets with a strong atmosphere and potential in the historical part of the South Bohemian town of Trhové Sviny, a couple of architects have found their new home. The reconstructed house is a perfect example of how new living spaces do not need to encroach on the landscape, but rather it is enough to breathe new life into old buildings.

The distinctive character of Kozinovo Square, offering an ideal location – just a few steps from the center, yet sheltered from traffic, captivated architects Barbora and Jiří Weinzettl, who purchased a small house here with the intention of creating a weekend retreat for relaxation and escape from reality. However, a year later, they were presented with the opportunity to buy the house across the garden, which fundamentally changed their original plan. They transformed the two separate buildings connected by a garden into their permanent refuge.

Return to Original Materials

Both buildings, likely originating from the 19th century, had to be completely reconstructed. "One of the houses was in very poor technical condition. The other had undergone a significant renovation around the turn of the millennium; however, it did not respect the historical value of the building and deviated towards inappropriate modern materials," says Ing. arch. Jiří Weinzettl, continuing: "We decided to remove the large dormer addition with a balcony, change the materials used on the facade and roof, and remove the plastic windows." The architects did not change the proportions of the house, but with the removal of the plastic windows, they decided to adjust the layout and shape of the openings for windows, doors, and gates. These interventions obviously influenced the current external appearance of the buildings. "We deliberately left the minimalist approach of the newly created openings in contrast with the original, traditionally divided windows," explains the architect.

The effort to preserve the materiality of the original structures is also reflected in uncovering the original masonry and other historical fragments beneath the modern cladding. "We were pleased with every historical detail, with every original stone wall that we managed to uncover. The whole reconstruction actually consisted of discovering the old, original, and combining it with the new," agree architects Barbora and Jiří Weinzettl. The exposed stone masonry has subsequently been simply primed and painted white in many places both outside and inside.

Interior with Unconventional Ceilings

The internal layout was adapted by the architects with the intention of making the building accessible from both sides, from the square for pedestrians and from the other side for a comfortable car access. In the smaller of the buildings, which is accessible by car, there is technical background, two garage spaces, a large workshop with a lift, an outdoor toilet with a washroom, and an uninhabitable attic. The larger building serves as the actual living space. The central area of the living part is the living room on the first floor, which combines a kitchen nook, dining area, and living room. Its characteristic feature is the arch-shaped vaulted ceiling created using natural materials. "The vaulting of the main living space arose from the desire to preserve the small scale and shape of the house from the outside while also creating an original elevated space," describes architect Jiří Weinzettl. The size of the central room is visually enhanced by a large outdoor terrace seamlessly connected, separated by a glass wall. On the ground floor, there is also a bedroom with its own bathroom corner, and the hallway provides an elevated relaxation area.

The attic of the residential building belongs to the children. The staircase opens into a spacious shared playroom, again with an atypically designed ceiling that arises from the intersection of two perpendicular gable roofs. The entire playroom is clad in bleached spruce wood. Adjacent to the playroom are two children's rooms with open wardrobes.

The overall perception of the individual spaces in the interior is further enriched by numerous views into the adjoining courtyards, and a large window in the gable courtyard facade provides a unique view of the nearby church tower.

For Color Contrast

The entire interior is characterized by light colors. The floor alternates between gray concrete screed and bleached oak, the walls are covered with white plaster, wooden paneling, or hexagonal ceramic tiles from the manufacturer Codicer. As a contrast throughout the interior, small furnishing elements in black – lights, faucets, cabinet door handles, as well as door and window handles, stand out. "We wanted all doors and windows to be equipped with handles in black, and that was made possible by the range of the Czech manufacturer M&T, with which we have had long-term positive experiences from completed projects. We chose the LUSY model, which impressed us with its simple shape and round rosette, which was one of our requirements for door fittings," the architects explain. The deep black shade gives the door and window handles a special durable finish of black matte titanium. "The titanium finish retains its original appearance unchanged even after many years of use. Additionally, it is highly resistant to abrasion and scratching," says Roman Ulich, the chief designer of M&T, the only Czech manufacturer of designer door and window fittings, explaining: "The fittings are coated using a special technology – it is not a spray or paint, but a true hard thin layer of metal that perfectly adheres to the primary substrate material." The manufacturer M&T was also chosen by the architects for the so-called invisible frames.

From Two Buildings to One Happy Home

The two buildings, connected by a garden with fruit trees, together create a harmonious foundation for a happy home. "The overall reconstruction was very demanding, not only in terms of the amount of construction work but also from a time perspective. But it was worth it. We have only lived in our new house for a relatively short time, but we wouldn't change anything," conclude the satisfied architects – owners.

Technical Data:

Name: House on Kozina
Location: Trhové Sviny, Kozinovo Square
Reconstruction: 2014 – 2021
Built-up Area: 340 m²
Suppliers:

• windows and entrance doors: JANOŠÍK OKNA-DVEŘE s.r.o.
• interior doors: Homer Concept & Interiors s.r.o., own production
• invisible frames and handles: M&T
• furniture: Homer Concept & Interiors s.r.o., own production
• tiles: Codicer
• sanitary: Laufen, Ravak
• faucets: Zucchetti, Tres
• chairs – TON
• sofa – Ethnicraft
• area rugs – Maimana
• oak furniture – Javorina

Type of Heating: gas double-circuit condensing turbo boiler

Architect: Ing. arch. Barbora Weinzettlová, Ing. arch. Jiří Weinzettl, Atelier 111 architects, www.atelier111.cz

Atelier 111 architects was founded in 2007. Our team has gradually specialized, and today the main creators include Barbora Ditzová, Veronika Indrová, Barbora Weinzettlová, and Jiří Weinzettl, the founding partner of the studio. In recent years, we have primarily focused on creating residential and civic buildings, including interior design, and on modifications of public spaces in our cities. We operate in Prague and Southern Bohemia. Our architecture is best characterized by a contextual approach, conceptual thinking, and restraint.

Photo: Alex Shoots Buildings, www.alexshootsbuildings.com