In the Czech village of Jevany, a red house with a highly unusual form and a striking character has been built. Designed by the firm Architektura s.r.o., it stands amidst a pine forest like a blood-red creature. Despite this striking contrast in colours, the building is almost invisible from the street, yet completely open to the landscape of the forest and nearby ponds.
A red house in the forest
The plot on which the red property stands is situated amongst scattered detached houses, surrounded by mature woodland. The terrain here slopes down towards the south, which had a significant influence on the design. Access from the forest road running above the property, used mainly by local residents, contrasts with the lower path running alongside the ponds and hidden behind a row of tall trees. The client wanted a house with a contemporary aesthetic and an industrial edge, which is why he invited architect David Kraus to collaborate on the project. His previous work in the area had caught the landowner’s attention.
Topography as a generator of form
Crucial to the overall concept were the existing differences in ground level and the traces of a previous building, which had left behind a depression of almost three metres. The form of the new house has been skilfully integrated into the relatively challenging plot, following the slope of the hillside. From the north, the building blends into the slope and gives the impression of a small, single-storey pavilion. It is from the garden side that it reveals its full scale: two storeys with extensive glazing. Additionally, the architects set the structure back from the adjacent road, allowing for the construction of a spacious driveway and a rooftop parking area.
The Red House in the Czech Forest – layout
The heart of the house is the staircase, which connects the two parts of the building: the day and night zones. The composition is based on a clear visual axis facing the forest, giving the impression of gradually sinking into the landscape. Entry to the building leads via a covered roof terrace, which serves as the aforementioned parking area. From there, the user reaches the entrance, which offers a view of tall tree trunks. The house itself is arranged across several levels. The entrance area and study are located at street level; the living area is situated below, whilst further back are the residents’ private rooms, connected by a long corridor leading out to the garden.
Industrialism with a twist
The character of the house is based on raw materials and strong colour contrasts. It is dominated by red steel structures set against the green of the forest, creating a very intense and unusual relationship with the surroundings. The irregularly divided glazing evokes associations with the work of the painter Piet Mondrian, specifically his Neoplasticist compositions. The interiors of the house feature concrete ceilings with visible formwork marks, black light fittings and white wall surfaces. Jan Waltr, who collaborated with the architects on refining the design, was responsible for the interior design of this part.
The Red House and its relationship with the landscape
The surroundings of the house have largely remained in their natural state. Changes were limited solely to the immediate vicinity of the building, including the terrace and entrance area. Worth noting are the large boulders uncovered during the earthworks, which were positioned next to the house as part of this extraordinary composition. Old trees shield the plot from the outside, whilst not obstructing the views towards the forest and the water.
design: Architektura s.r.o. studio
photos: Matej Hakár
Read also:Detached house | Facade | Metal|Detail|whiteMAD on Instagram
