The small building was designed by Martin Hajný of Atelier Hajný. The summer house was built on a green plot of land near Prague.
The architect designed a building with an unusual shape. Its asymmetrical roof resembles a truncated tent, which has a pair of skylights on top. Interestingly, it is not a completely new building. Previously, it was a single-storey cottage with a basement and sloping roof, built in the 1970s. A new chapter in the site’s history was written by a couple who bought the plot for recreational purposes.
The summer house has become an oasis of peace. The new owners come here to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. The location in the midst of nature and the large garden with its old trees are assets of the place.
The technical condition of the original building left much to be desired. In addition, its functional layout did not meet modern needs. However, the zoning plan did not allow new construction and the height of the buildings was limited to 7.7 metres. The only solution was to renovate and rebuild, which would enlarge the house and at the same time comply with the regulations.
The architect prepared a design for a house with a hipped roof. In this way, he minimised the height and the shape of the roof does not interfere with the neighbours’ view of the landscape. The old building was reduced to a stone base on which a new metal structure was set. The new building has a roof and facade covered with trapezoidal sheet metal. This is a maintenance-free material that will last for many years. Viewed from a distance, it resembles wooden slats.
The dark façade helps the building to blend in with its surroundings. The atmosphere inside is completely different. The architect decorated the rooms with light-coloured wood elements reminiscent of old cottages. The walls are covered with pine plywood with a visible grain. Its shade makes the interior feel light. In the bathroom, on the other hand, subtle grey plaster was used on the floor and walls.
The ground floor of the building offers views of the surrounding area through large south- and east-facing glazing. The simple layout has allowed the use of façade windows on all sides. Additional light is provided by skylights on the roof top. These allow rapid ventilation of the building and views of the night sky. Investors can use the building all year round.
The total area at the base of the building is 46 square metres, and with the extension, the residents now have 80 square metres of usable space at their disposal.
photos: Radek Úlehla, www.radekulehla.com
design: Atelier Hajný(https://www.atelierhajny.cz)
Read also: Czech Republic | Summerhouse | Minimalism | Interiors | Wood | whiteMAD on Instagram
