family house Živanice

The original building was the result of many years of additions of various elements and structures, which gave it an original and unmistakable character, together with a pleasant and human scale. These aspects were central to our design. Despite significant alterations to the internal layout of the entire building, we endeavoured to preserve this diversity and to further enhance the house’s existing character through further interventions. At the same time, we designed the house for a specific family; therefore, by removing unnecessary structures and adding new elements, we sought to create a suitable and comfortable living environment.

However, during the design phase, a more detailed survey of the building revealed several complications, primarily related to the condition of the foundation structures. From both a technical and economic perspective, it was therefore ultimately more advantageous to demolish the original house and replace it with a new build. Despite this fundamental change, we endeavoured to preserve as much of its original essence as possible – its scale, character and the principle of gradually assembling individual elements. The new building is thus not an entirely new house, but rather another layer in its evolution.

The basic volume and scale of the building therefore remain close to those of the original house. The new roof unifies the irregular floor plan of the building and, by overhanging towards the garden, also creates a spacious terrace. The distinction between the lower part of the house and the newly designed attic is emphasised by different types of render and the shape of the roof itself.

The interior is designed as a system of interconnected spaces, complemented by three new built-in structures made of plywood – two staircases and a bathroom situated within the bedroom. Where the staircases are located, the entire building is open up to the roof trusses, creating vertically interconnected spaces. The central, raised kitchen and dining area is dominated by a stainless-steel extractor hood, creating the ‘heart’ of the house. The vertical structures in the loft are made of white-painted ceramic blocks, whilst the roof truss soffit is formed by plywood panels. A unifying element of red steel features – gutters, lintels and balustrades – runs throughout the house.

The family home offers both generous, interconnected spaces for socialising and smaller, more intimate areas where one can retreat and relax.