House with a sloped roof and VELUX skylights

Originally, there was a simple single-story cottage with a cellar and a low gable roof built in the 1970s. A married couple from Prague acquired the plot for an "escape from the city," not just for weekends, but also for working from home. They were enchanted by the quiet place in the midst of nature, surrounded by a garden and mature trees. They were very much looking forward to their refuge from urban noise, and even took a gardening course, but the building was in very poor technical condition. Furthermore, it did not meet the layout needs because the investors wanted to expand the ground floor room with an attic bedroom. However, the zoning plan did not allow for a new build, and the height was restricted to a maximum of 7.7 m from the adjacent terrain. Therefore, the only solution was a complete reconstruction that would enlarge the house while meeting the requirements of the authorities and neighbors.

The challenge was taken up by architect Martin Hajný, who designed a building with an atypical shape and a trimmed roof. The reason was to minimize the height and show consideration for the neighbors, whose view of the landscape is not disrupted by such a shaped roof. Only the stone base of the original cottage remains, on which the new metal structure stands. The main structure is a post-and-beam, diffusely open timber building on a reinforced concrete slab, set on reinforced concrete pillars hidden behind stone walls. The roof and facade are clad in trapezoidal sheet metal, a maintenance-free material with a long lifespan that resembles wooden slats in shape.

While the dark exterior helps the building blend into the surroundings, the interior is, on the contrary, bright and evokes a classic cottage with an abundance of wood. The used pine plywood with a pronounced grain transitions from the ceiling to the walls and all the furniture. It contrasts in color with the facade and is also practical, as more light penetrates into the interior. The bathroom features a discreet gray screed on the floor and walls.

Wide portfolio of VELUX skylights

The ground floor opens up views of the surroundings through large glazed surfaces oriented to the south and east. The simple layout allowed the use of facade windows even from all sides. The trimmed roof, on the other hand, remains uniform from the outside. It is capped with a pair of opening VELUX skylights, which allow for quick chimneys ventilation of the entire building. Thanks to the automatic control of the skylights and their shading, the cottage is cooled through natural ventilation. In combination with the pronounced roof overhang over the southern part, a pleasant internal climate is ensured year-round.

"The range of VELUX products for illuminating flat roofs includes a wide selection of solutions from new designer skylights with flat or rounded glass to classic skylights with domes and specialized products, such as smoke vent skylights and access hatches to flat roofs. This wide range ensures that, even with regard to the technical requirements of building regulations, the architect has the opportunity to find the ideal skylight solution for any of their projects, whether residential or commercial. Due to the wide portfolio, precise sizing options, and exceptional capabilities to ensure daylight and better ventilation, these skylights enable the creation of healthy and energy-efficient spaces," explains VELUX architect Marek Petrík.

More fresh air and natural light give architects freedom

"I believe that a house should function even without modern technologies, but technologies like electrically controlled skylights and blinds are great things. It's essentially just the functioning of nature, which I control with some mechanism. If the internal environment is designed so that the chimney effect works, the house remains pleasant even without air conditioning," adds architect Martin Hajný, and his words are confirmed by studies showing that electric windows can double the frequency of home ventilation compared to manually operated ones.

VELUX roof windows and skylights for flat roofs, especially when used in conjunction with facade windows, facilitate excellent air flow and rapid air exchange due to the chimney effect. This combination not only improves ventilation but also reduces dependence on artificial lighting, supports energy efficiency, and creates a healthier indoor climate. The new generation of VELUX skylights offers extensive areas for the influx of daylight along with elegant minimalist design. Modern skylights provide up to three times more daylight compared to traditional facade windows and transform even the most inaccessible spaces into bright and pleasant areas. According to method EAD 220062-00-0401 (CE marking), the new generation VELUX skylights measuring 100 × 100 cm allow daylight to pass through 88% of the opening area, optimizing the natural distribution of light and enhancing the spatial experience.

The availability of various sizes allows architects to specify skylights that precisely match their intentions.

Project details

Project: Cottage with skylights
Location: Posázaví, Czech Republic
Architect: Atelier Hajný s. r. o.
Year: 2020
Photography: Radek Úlehla
Video: Jan Ruttner