Residential House in the Czech Republic by Jan Žaloudek

The garden originally belonged to a castle in the South Bohemian village of Kamenná Lhota. The location boasts picturesque surroundings, with the remains of a Baroque barn, centuries-old trees, and a stone wall characterising the area. The house is intended as a place of relaxation and contemplation. The architect designed it as a kind of chapel with sacred-looking rooms. At the same time, the building's elongated shape echoes that of the traditional agricultural gabled houses in the surrounding area.

The incoming daylight creates a contemplative atmosphere. © BoysPlayNice

The facade is characterised by perforated brickwork on the southern gable wall, which provides sun protection. The architect was also inspired by the patterns of traditional wooden shutters. There are also perforated shading elements on the ground floor. These are positioned in front of cut-out spaces. These spaces serve as loggias or entrance areas, mediating between the interior and exterior. This enables the house to open up completely to the surrounding landscape. When closed, the house serves as a meditative retreat.

The main room, which reaches a height of seven metres, evokes the feeling of being in a chapel. © BoysPlayNice

The house was built using traditional masonry techniques. The tiled roof and white plaster facade echo the colour and texture of neighbouring buildings. The shading elements are made of whitewashed Czech fir and spruce. Inside, the main room's vaulted ceiling, which reaches a height of seven metres, once again recalls the architect's sacred inspiration. Thanks to its spatial structure, the various daylight effects, and the large round window on the south gable, the building ultimately becomes a minimalist residential chapel.