Rescue of the Cottage Vojtěchov
1st phase
Limestone spine of the landscape,
Průchodnice, Taramka, and Špraněk,
a white roof like fluffy bedding,
watch out or the fallow deer might eat you…
We decided to embark on an experiment, to buy and rescue a house that no one believed in anymore.
It had been abandoned for over 30 years, water had dripped through the roof for years, and the beams and the timber were waterlogged and rotten in places.
So we began searching for the right healing procedure that would save the house or at least halt its decay. We tried to simplify the entire structure, enrich it, but also not lose any of its original authenticity. Our goal was not to quickly make the house livable, but to enjoy the whole process, experience it, and not turn the reconstruction itself into a necessity.
Right from the start, we knew we wanted to do everything ourselves. Just a few friends, so we could mentally and physically connect with the house. To get a feel for the place and build connections with the locals during the construction. We perceive the resulting imperfections and mistakes rather positively, as they bring a certain humanity and ruralness into the architecture. It was also important to let time work and be able to observe the construction and the place, flexibly reacting to changing conditions and demands. Fortunately, there wasn't much money either.
When a person breaks their arm, it is immobilized and put in a splint. We applied the same approach in our reconstruction. We braced the house, tightened it, and protected it with a new roof.
We realized a simple truss that stabilizes the entire house. The wood comes from local forests, from a local sawmill, and advice from local residents. The truss is placed between two gables – brick and wooden, ventilated through opposing openings. A waterproof fabric, used for trucks, served as the roofing material, allowing natural light to enter.
The attic has become a place for overnight stays, where one can sense the daylight, hear the wind, and be rocked by the sound of rain…
The house has been stabilized, the healing process has begun, and further work may follow.
Průchodnice, Taramka, and Špraněk,
a white roof like fluffy bedding,
watch out or the fallow deer might eat you…
We decided to embark on an experiment, to buy and rescue a house that no one believed in anymore.
It had been abandoned for over 30 years, water had dripped through the roof for years, and the beams and the timber were waterlogged and rotten in places.
So we began searching for the right healing procedure that would save the house or at least halt its decay. We tried to simplify the entire structure, enrich it, but also not lose any of its original authenticity. Our goal was not to quickly make the house livable, but to enjoy the whole process, experience it, and not turn the reconstruction itself into a necessity.
Right from the start, we knew we wanted to do everything ourselves. Just a few friends, so we could mentally and physically connect with the house. To get a feel for the place and build connections with the locals during the construction. We perceive the resulting imperfections and mistakes rather positively, as they bring a certain humanity and ruralness into the architecture. It was also important to let time work and be able to observe the construction and the place, flexibly reacting to changing conditions and demands. Fortunately, there wasn't much money either.
When a person breaks their arm, it is immobilized and put in a splint. We applied the same approach in our reconstruction. We braced the house, tightened it, and protected it with a new roof.
We realized a simple truss that stabilizes the entire house. The wood comes from local forests, from a local sawmill, and advice from local residents. The truss is placed between two gables – brick and wooden, ventilated through opposing openings. A waterproof fabric, used for trucks, served as the roofing material, allowing natural light to enter.
The attic has become a place for overnight stays, where one can sense the daylight, hear the wind, and be rocked by the sound of rain…
The house has been stabilized, the healing process has begun, and further work may follow.
ertepl
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Vojtěch Jemelka
16.07.21 05:24
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