An old house in the Orlické Mountains, situated in the Czech part of the Sudetes, has been given a new lease of life thanks to the team at No Architects. They have converted the farmstead into a year-round property covering 420 square metres. The historic house has regained its former splendour and has been extended with a new structure. The result is a white complex connected by an openwork link.
The Sudetenland – history
The history of the Sudetenland (German: Sudetenland) is marked by major demographic changes following 1945. The mountainous regions on the border between Czechoslovakia, Germany and Austria were formerly inhabited almost exclusively by a German-speaking population, who were forced to leave their homes after the end of the Second World War. In the Orlické Mountains, hundreds of villages and thousands of hamlets disappeared, and with them, everyday life, traditions and history. The farmstead, whose renovation was undertaken by the No Architects studio, is one such abandoned property. Over the years, it has served various purposes. Successive renovations and haphazard modernisations were carried out without a clear concept, leaving behind random extensions and scattered functions.
An old house in the Orlické Mountains
For nearly 70 years, the house gradually lost its functionality and visual coherence. Over time, a small leisure centre sprang up around the property, used, amongst others, by the local ski club. Despite this, the building’s condition did not improve and it still required urgent restoration. The architects therefore began planning the entire concept, which resulted in quite radical but necessary steps. These involved removing all secondary structures and reorganising the entire site. The stone obtained from the demolition was recycled, and the functions of the new building were concentrated into a single, coherent complex.
A white house on a stone foundation
The new vision for the old cottage in the Sudetes was based on very specific colours and materials. The whole structure is finished in snow-white, which covers all the façades, roofs and other elements. Even the aggregate on the access roads is white. The historic house has been given a new roof covered with highly durable sheet metal, which transitions gently into the new section via a wooden, roofed passageway with sliding walls. The buildings stand on foundations of local stone, a nod to the region’s former character. The house’s windows are fitted with toughened glass and steel frames offering enhanced durability. This is essential in such a harsh, mountainous climate.
Mountain architecture of the Sudetes
Conditions in this part of the Sudetes are very demanding. At an altitude of around 900 metres above sea level, the average annual temperature is just around 4 degrees Celsius, and snow cover persists for up to 100 days. On the mountain ridges, however, the number of days with snow exceeds 200! Furthermore, there are frequent fogs, strong winds and heavy rainfall. The project therefore had to contend with difficult conditions. The architects from No Architects used highly durable materials and found ways to reduce running costs. Features include a ground-source heat exchanger laid beneath the meadow, a photovoltaic system on the green roof, and a water harvesting system.
Self-sufficiency and technology
The technical facilities were housed in the extended basement of the old building. Solar energy powers the heating systems and equipment serving the entire complex. Water comes from a newly drilled borehole and flows into a biological treatment plant. Low-temperature underfloor heating is complemented by massive fireplaces, which emit heat with properties similar to solar radiation. The whole system operates as part of an integrated management system, accessible remotely via satellite connectivity.
An old house in the Orlické Mountains
The apartments and the caretaker’s house were designed in the spirit of simplicity and durability. The finishing materials were selected with the use by groups of children and families in mind. Natural textures, light-coloured surfaces and damage-resistant elements dominate here. The interiors are intended to foster a sense of freedom and relaxation amidst the mountains, without excessive formality.
design: No Architects
team: Jakub Filip Novák, Daniela Baráčková, Klára Rašková, Lenka Juračková, Jana Kutáček Sedlická
photography: Studio Flusser
drone photography: No Architects
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