Garden Pavilion in Prague by Byró Architekti

When open, the interior of the pavilion merges seamlessly with the exterior. © Alex Shoots Buildings

The small garden pavilion by Byró Architekti is located in a garden colony near the Vltava River in Prague. The building, with a footprint of 3 x 5 m and a height of just under 5 m, serves as a quiet retreat for a Czech family in the middle of the city.

Two small houses with dark flamed wooden façades stand in an overgrown landscape. The modern house has hinged glazing that connects the interior with the exterior and a round window on the first floor.

The wooden garden pavilion offers a comfortable retreat in the centre of Prague. © Alex Shoots Buildings

Pavilion with a minimal footprint

The architects' brief was to build a new 20 m² pavilion on the foundations of the original, dilapidated gazebo. The family uses the building mainly for outdoor leisure activities and insisted on two functions: The pavilion should be used for occasional overnight stays in bad weather and during the summer months, as well as for storing plants in winter.

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Wood and polycarbonate construction

The two-storey pavilion is constructed of spruce wood. The dark Shou Sugi Ban facade acts as a natural insect screen, is weather resistant, sustainable and low maintenance. The front can be fully opened by a folding wall of polycarbonate panels. The mechanism for folding the panels consists of steel cables, pulleys and counterweights. This construction seamlessly connects the interior to the exterior. In bad weather, the polycarbonate wall also acts as a protective roof, allowing you to stay outside.

The front view of the two-storey pavilion shows a closed wooden façade on a concrete foundation, surrounded by lawn and woodland. A metallic staircase with four steps leads upwards, and a wooden frame element protrudes between the storeys.

A dark Shou Sugi Ban facade protects the pavilion from outside influences. © Alex Shoots Buildings

Minimalist interior

The interior is also predominantly wood, with individual walls plastered. On the back wall of the pavilion is a long bookshelf with a ladder to the upper floor. Small side windows and a skylight, combined with the folding wall of polycarbonate panels, flood the interior with daylight. This makes the interior feel bright and cosy even when closed.

The wooden interior has plastered walls and a bookshelf. There is a round dining table with three chairs and a stool. A ladder leads to the upper floor, and large windows and the polycarbonate folding wall bring in natural light.

The upper floor and the library are made of wooden slats to filter the natural light. © Alex Shoots Buildings

The two-storey wooden interior has plastered walls, a bookshelf and a ladder to the upper floor. A round window and a skylight provide daylight. The first floor side opens onto the green lawn.

Even when closed, the interior of the small pavilion is bright and friendly. © Alex Shoots Buildings

The garden pavilion uses a photovoltaic system to generate electricity for basic needs and lighting. It is not connected to the grid. This sustainable approach reflects the family's connection with nature.

Architecture: BYRÓ architekti
Team: Jan Holub, Tomáš Hanus
Client: private
Location: Prag (CZ)

Civil engineer: Viktor Bakstein
Living area: 20 m²
Finalisation: 2023