The house in Polanka nad Odrou is a 218 sq m building designed by the owners of the bydloarchitekti studio. Architects Pavla and Martin Vymetálkovi and their children moved into the plot where another brick house belonging to their ancestors once stood, which is why its façades refer to this history. The house on the Odra River was a finalist in the Czech Architecture Award 2025.
Layout and concept of the bydloarchitekti design
The body of the house consists of two parallel brick segments connected by an open living area. One wing houses the parents’ bedroom with a sauna and access to an internal patio, while the other wing houses the children’s rooms and a utility room. Between them runs a daily use corridor, leading from the street through a tree-lined courtyard and a covered parking space, then through the kitchen and bathrooms to the living room with dining area, and then to the terrace and garden. The entire design of the house is based on a simple, logical layout that is convenient to use and does not waste space.
House on the Odra River in Ostrava
Large south-facing windows open the interior to the landscape of the Odra valley (which has its source in the Czech Republic). Above them, a reinforced concrete ceiling has been extended to limit the heating of the rooms in the warmer months. The architects deliberately chose not to visually separate the house from its surroundings. The interior remains visible to passers-by, which promotes the idea of living close to nature and observing the changing landscape on a daily basis. The garden with a flower meadow, a young orchard and a strip of reeds is one of the elements of the house.
The house on the Oder and its features
The construction of the house in Polanka nad Odrou is based on thermally insulated hollow bricks in the heated part of the house and solid bricks in the unheated areas and internal walls. The foundation and ceiling are made of reinforced concrete, which is visible in the interiors in the form of a smooth floor and ceiling. The joinery was designed with aluminium frames with triple glazing. The light-coloured brick is complemented by birch plywood cladding and fittings, present in the doors and furniture. The choice of materials was limited to a few proven solutions, which translated into the visual consistency of the investment.
Finalist of the Czech Architecture Award 2025
The project was recognised by the jury of the Czech Architecture Award for its clear plan, effective use of space and consistent approach to the scale of a single-family home. The justification highlighted the common space connecting the household members, the modesty of the means and the high quality of detail. According to the jury, the reduction in usable space translated into greater freedom in everyday functioning and a stronger connection between the interior and its surroundings. The house in Polanka nad Odrou was cited as an example of architecture based on simplicity and very conscious design choices.
Design: bydloarchitekti
Location: Ostrava, Polanka nad Odrou, Czech Republic
Photos: RobertŽákovič
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