The house of Dušan Jurkovič, a prominent architect and designer, is a unique work that combines elements of modernism with folk art inspirations. The building, located in what is now the Žabovřesky district of Brno, was built at the beginning of the 20th century and still impresses today with its originality and thoughtful combination of tradition and modernity.
The architect acquired the land for the house in September 1905. The plot, located in a picturesque location, offered breathtaking views of the Svratka river valley and the nearby Císařský forest. At that time, the land belonged to the village of Žabovřesky, which was only incorporated into the city of Brno in 1919.
The house in 1907. Photo: Der Architekt 1907, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The design was inspired by the innovative constructions of Joseph Maria Olbrich in Darmstadt and Josef Hoffmann in Hohe Warte in Vienna. The use of advanced techniques and unique aesthetic solutions created a house that was considered one of the most modern buildings in Brno in its time, alongside, among others, the Karl Reissig villa designed by Leopold Bauer.
The construction of the house was completed in the summer of 1906 and shortly afterwards Jurkovič and his family moved in. On this occasion, the man organised an exhibition of architecture and applied arts, where visitors could admire both the building itself and its unique interiors. The house is a unique combination of modernist British and Viennese influences with regional folk elements. The architect used materials such as stone, wood and cork, which was innovative at the time.
The foundation of the building was made of split stone, with a wooden frame supporting it. The half-timbered walls were filled with a mixture of slag, sand and lime, covered with cork insulation. Cement plaster was used on the exterior and the interior was finished with traditional plaster. The house also features ornate elements – the most notable being the massive stone loggia, the carved wooden gate and the colourful mosaic above the main entrance, depicting the fairy tale motif ‘Shepherd and Dragon’.
The functionality of the house is divided into three zones. The representative area consists of a central hall with a modern staircase, a living room and rooms for receptions. The private zone consists of bedrooms, children’s rooms and bathrooms, located on the ground floor. Utility rooms, such as the kitchen, the servants’ room and the basement with utility facilities and the caretaker’s flat, are located in the more intimate areas of the house.
Jurkovič lived in the building with his wife and three children until 1919. After moving to Bratislava, he sold the house and over the following years the building changed hands several times. During World War II, the basement was adapted into an air raid shelter, and in the post-war period the communist authorities forced several families to live in the building. In 1963, the house was officially listed as a cultural monument. For a long time, however, it remained in private hands, and only in 2006 was it taken over by the state and placed under the management of the Moravian Gallery in Brno.
Following the acquisition of the house by the Moravian Gallery, comprehensive research work began to restore the building’s original appearance. The restoration project, carried out between 2009 and 2010, was supported by funds from the Norwegian Financial Mechanisms (Norway Grants). A key role in the restoration was played by specialists from the Transat architekti studio, who recreated the architectural details with painstaking accuracy. In April 2011, Dušan Jurkovič’s house was opened to the public as the Dušan Jurkovič Centre. It now serves as a museum, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about the architect’s work and the history of the building.
Dušan Jurkovič’s house very skilfully and harmoniously combines the aesthetics of modernism with functionality and local inspiration. Today, it is not only an important architectural monument, but also a symbol of the blending of cultures and eras, bearing witness to the architect’s unique vision.
Source: old.moravska-galerie.cz, gotobrno.cz
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