It is a building from the turn of the 20th century. The townhouse is located in Prague. During the recent redevelopment, the former gallery was renovated and its function changed. The work was carried out to a design by Plus One Architekti.
The building is located in Prague’s Nusle district. The building was rebuilt. The historic elements were reconstructed, while inside modern spaces were created with bold colours and contemporary art. The interior layout was changed, separating 15 flats.
The transformation of the building focused on creating compact layouts and details, redefining some of the outdated functions of the structure. Galleries, which previously served as common open passageways with entrances to the flats, now serve as balconies. The building is distinguished by its light-coloured façade, and on the courtyard side its character is emphasised by the arched gallery ceilings decorated with chequered ceramic tiles and metal balustrades. The courtyard is accessible to all residents, and there are also private gardens of the flats on the ground floor.
The architects focused on the communal spaces, which have always played a representative role in urban buildings. The same principle has been applied here, retaining the original layout and most of the finishing materials. What is new is the bold colours. The corridor walls in powdery shades of grey and pink take inspiration from wall paintings from the period. Complementing this colour scheme are the dark entrance doors to the flats and the mailboxes made of brown veneer.
The focal point of the common spaces is the original staircase. The stone steps have been lightly brushed and finished with a protective coating. The rough texture of the steps creates a contrast with the vibrant colours of the corridor walls and the entrance doors to the flats. The spiral shape of the staircase has been accentuated with linear lighting, winding through all floors. And what do the flats look like?
The flats on the first and second floors have been redesigned to better suit contemporary lifestyles – with more spacious bathrooms, improved layouts and some with balconies. Reinforcing the ceilings with concrete slabs not only increased the structural stability of the floors, but also added an attractive visual element in the form of exposed concrete ceilings. Between the first and second floors is the only flat in the house, with its own entrance directly from the street. The most significant modifications were made to the attic, where the former loft space was divided into four units of different sizes. One of the key challenges was to avoid suspended ceilings while maximising the placement of skylights, even in rooms such as bathrooms. Rounded skylights above the bathroom doors let daylight into the entrance corridors. Natural lighting was a priority in the attic and was also successfully integrated into the rooms on the other floors, explains architect Kateřina Průchová.
The new layout of each flat is like a base ready to receive residents and adapt to their needs. All units have the same flooring and are designed with modern bathrooms in earthy and white tones. They are complemented by heated towel rails and sanitary ware by Grohe and Laufen. In the ground floor flats, original structural elements such as the cradle vaults and alcoves have been retained, highlighting the historic character of the residential house while providing visual and functional value. The ground floor show flat, also designed by Plus One Architects, features a stainless steel kitchen with red and pink glazed tiles by Dutch brand Palet and practical profiled shutters for privacy and cooling on hot summer days.
design: Plus One Architects(www.p1a.cz)
team: Petra Ciencialová, Kateřina Průchová, Tereza Thérová
photography: BoysPlayNice
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