The stone house, located in a picturesque village in the Shumava hills, is around 150 years old. When the owners approached the Archport office in 2021 for help with the renovation, the building was in the middle of an incomplete renovation. The aim of the works was to transform the old house into a modern building with yellow plaster and plastic windows. The works obliterated most of the authentic features of the original house, including its structure and historical details.
The main intention of the renovation project became to rediscover and expose the original elements, while preserving and enhancing them with modern touches. The building was stripped back from the layers of later alterations down to the stone and brick walls, which became the central aesthetic focus of the reconstruction. The historic masonry, visible in the facades, shows the variety of materials and techniques that were chosen to be preserved while introducing modern additions. The gable walls were covered with hand-applied render, and a delicate cornice, made of exposed concrete, was introduced between the rendered surfaces and the historic sections.
An important part of the project was also to preserve the original roof structure, which was covered with diamond-shaped asbestos tiles common in the region. The new roof relies on lacquered aluminium shingles, which hark back to the old style, creating a contrast with the walls. The stone house has also gained roof windows.
The interior of the house underwent a major remodelling. The original walls and vaults were retained, while other contemporary elements were removed. This treatment resulted in a more varied space, which manifests itself in the form of different floor and ceiling heights. This effect was enhanced by the addition of an old stone staircase. Similar stone elements were used at the main entrance in the form of steps and paving made from Pilsen slabs. The rest of the paving around the house was made of the same stone used in the original house. It was also decided to open up the space by removing the old beamed ceiling, giving the interior a new dynamic. In the living room, a visible concrete ring was added to separate the ground floor from the attic, and the stone walls were finished with a plaster made from local materials.
The main element that attracts attention inside is the huge frameless window, offering a unique view of the Shumava hills. This window becomes the symbol of the entire project, combining modernity with tradition, in complete harmony with the surrounding landscape.
The renovation of the Šumava house not only renewed its structure, but also allowed it to restore its historical character while bringing it up to modern standards. The whole process was made possible thanks to the close collaboration between the architects and local craftsmen, who recreated every detail of the historic building with passion and precision.
Author: Ing. arch. Vojtěch Hybler, Ing. arch. David Dvořák / ARCHPORT
Construction company: Petr Gondek
Location: Šumava, Czech Republic
Construction: 2022 – 2024
Photographer: Petr Polák Studio
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