Café Ernst

Author Stiassni Villas architect Ernst Wiesner was one of the most significant creators of modern Brno architecture in the first half of the 20th century. In addition to significant villa buildings, he was also the author of many notable public buildings (Czech Bank Union – Radio, City Crematorium, Palace Morava, etc.). Nevertheless, there is no permanent, comprehensive reminder of his work in Brno. We believe that the space in Villa Stiassni, which currently serves for temporary exhibitions, offers the opportunity to establish a permanent exhibition that commemorates his outstanding work in a simple form. We were inspired by his already-defunct famous café Esplanade and placed the exhibition in a café that evokes this significant realization in some details. The educational impact will thus be supplemented by a gastronomic effect.

On the right wall, we are placing a photo mural of an authentic and iconic image of the café. The space will be furnished with approximate copies of the original wooden chairs and tables produced by the Czech company TON. On the front walls, simple oak frames will hold photographs of the most notable realizations, the selection of which will be subject to curatorial choice. Dominating the entire space will be the only known photograph of Ernst Wiesner. On the left side, there will be a bar structure, providing support for the café's operations. We designed it as a cultivated solitaire, made of polished stainless steel construction, filled with marble slabs, referencing the texture and material of the stone used in the cloakroom of Villa Stiassni and on the bar counters of the Esplanade café. The space behind the bar is covered with lacquered cladding in black. Part of the cladding includes sliding doors, concealing the existing freight elevator and entrance to the back area. The existing parquet floor, windows, and lighting fixtures will not be affected by the modifications. The advantage of placing the café in this location in the villa is its direct connection to the culinary facilities in the adjacent areas and its link to the covered terrace - salu terrenu, which can be used for seating in contact with the garden during the summer months.

We believe that this minor intervention will enrich the villa's organism with another dimension, complementing the existing exhibition appropriately. A dignified reminder of Ernst Wiesner's work will arise, enriched with a memory of his cult café and a new opportunity to sit over coffee, to become acquainted with his work, and even to read thematic magazines and literature focused on functionalist architecture of the first half of the 20th century.