The heritage protectors reconstructed the Brno government villa Stiassny

Brno - The heritage protectors in Brno have completed the restoration of the government villa Stiassny, in whose grounds a modern building has been constructed, which houses the newly established Center for the Restoration of 20th Century Monuments. Petr Kroupa, its director, told ČTK today. The work cost 180 million crowns. The restoration of the famous functionalist villa was demanding. The center was created by the heritage institute to participate in training architects and to assist those who embark on the restoration of modern monuments.
    The public could be introduced to Villa Stiassny along with the center in mid-December. The historical object has been reconstructed not only structurally. Experts also restored its interiors to their original form according to historical documents. The work was financed 85 percent by the EU, the rest was covered by the state.
    The most challenging task was ensuring the building's structural integrity. It turned out that the concrete pillars on which the building stands are made of poor-quality material. There were cracks in the walls of the building. Problems arose during open house events when hundreds of people passed through the villa. Experts reinforced the building with steel cables and very thin, exceptionally strong carbon fibers used in the production of technical equipment sent into space, emphasized Kroupa.
    The villa was built in 1927 for textile industrialist Alfred Stiassny according to the design of architect Arnošt Wiesner. During socialism, it was used by the government. When visiting Czechoslovakia, the Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro stayed overnight there.
    Heritage protectors only recently discovered what the building’s interiors looked like before. During communism, the walls were painted white or gray. This was also applied to some of the built-in furniture. The original floors were once covered with low-quality linoleum by the management of the building. Only after uncovering the non-original coatings did it become apparent that the originals were ochre and yellow. The linoleum concealed, for example, a staircase made of smooth concrete.
    The building is an example of how to sensitively restore a significant modern monument, using both original materials and the latest technologies, stated Kroupa. That is why the Center for the Restoration of 20th Century Monuments has been established in its grounds. Interested parties will find not only a specialized library there but will also receive advice from heritage protectors on how to proceed in their projects to avoid destroying the heritage objects they wish to restore.
    Villa Stiassny is not as famous as the Tugendhat villa in Brno, which is listed as a UNESCO monument, yet experts consider it unique for its architecture. Its creator incorporated the most modern elements of his time while placing the villa amidst greenery. Visitors feel as if they are not in the midst of Brno but in nature.