Erlebachova hut: How to breathe new life into a traditional Krkonoš chalet

Erlebachova bouda is set at an altitude of 1148 m under the mountain Malý Šišák on the main ridge of the Krkonoš. The history of Erlebachova bouda dates back to 1784, when Ignáz Hollman built the first summer wooden hut here, which was purchased by Franz Erlebach a hundred years later. During the era of totalitarianism, the cottage was owned by the company Centrotex, which allowed it to deteriorate for years until the early 1980s, when the crumbling wooden building was demolished and in 1990, Centrotex opened a brand new recreational facility in its place. In 1998, Erlebachova bouda was purchased by the couple Martina and Jiří Tomáškovi, who gradually integrated it along with other adjacent buildings into a cohesive complex called Resort sv. František.

The carefully executed reconstruction of Erlebachova bouda is the result of a long-term collaboration (which has grown into friendship) between the Tomášek family and architect Zuzana Sceranková. Although it may seem almost unbelievable, this thrilling story began about twenty years ago when Zuzana Sceranková was on a skiing holiday at the then Erlebachova bouda with her thirteen-year-old son, today's co-author of the reconstruction Matúš Sceranka. As soon as Jiří Tomášek learned that an architect was among his guests, he asked her then to sketch a possible new form of Erlebachova bouda. From this first sketch, a collaboration was born that has lasted for two decades.

After obtaining a building permit for the reconstruction and extension of the Erlebachova bouda hotel in 2007, about fifteen years of construction followed in several phases. First, approximately half of the original Erlebachova bouda building was reconstructed. Subsequently, the extension of the wellness center area towards the chapel of St. Francis took place – at this time, architectural tandem Matúš Sceranka, who participated in the design of the wellness center during his studies at university, joined the project. The crowning work became the internal glazed chapel. Finally, in 2023, the last phase, the extension of the western wing of the hotel, known as the Stodola, was completed, which is now the most beautiful space in the entire resort. The peaceful atmosphere of this Krkonoš meadow enclave is largely owed to Erlebachova bouda's ability to meet the demanding requirement of the KRNAP Administration for the construction of underground garages. Final landscaping, planned for May 2024, will complete the project with the finishing of the garden featuring a fountain and the inscription "BEAUTY AND JOY" on the roof of the underground garage.

Matúš Sceranka describes the long-term and successful cooperation with the investors that culminated in the latest extension of the Stodola almost as a relationship with friends or family members. "The members of the Tomášek family actively participated in the creation process of each stage of the reconstruction – after all, they decided to connect their fates with this rugged mountainous location 26 years ago," reflects Matúš Sceranka and continues. "In the overall impression, the realization of the Stodola extension has become a victory of practical functional architecture. We did not try to impress visitors with any wow effects, to bring something into the Krkonoš hut that did not belong there; we did not want anything extravagant in the interior nor was it our intention for any interior element in the rooms, such as a light fixture or switch, to draw any special attention. This is exactly how the investors felt, and we agreed with their vision,” adds Matúš Sceranka.

Today, the Stodola offers the most luxurious accommodation options in the entire Resort sv. František. The southern rooms amaze with a glazed panoramic wall offering breathtaking views into the valley towards Špindlerův Mlýn, while the northern rooms provide calming views of the forest and the peak of Malý Šišák. To bring guests closer to nature, each room has at least one balcony. "It is no surprise that the central theme of our ideas when designing the interiors of the Stodola rooms was a connection to nature. What else to think of when we have such a beautiful scenery right outside the windows?" smiles Matúš Sceranka. "Thus, we tried to design the interiors in natural shades, but in a minimalist way so that guests' views would slide not to the furnishings of the room but primarily into the surrounding nature. In the rooms, we worked with oak wood, from which the floors and furniture are made. We kept the walls purely white, and the ceilings are concrete. The bathroom tiles were chosen in dark green, bronze, and gray tones, again evoking shades of the forest. Switches, lighting, door fittings, and bathroom faucets were coordinated in an anthracite color, which is the most appropriate and least intrusive in relation to the nature outside the windows."

The architects ultimately chose berker Q.3 switches in anthracite color. "These switches are among our most popular series," explains Thomas Grund, the CEO of Hager Electro, which includes berker switches in its portfolio. "They do not try to draw attention to themselves at all. With their symmetrical shape, clean lines, high-quality workmanship, and subtle coloring, they are able to complement almost any type of interior. They blend perfectly with the wooden elements and pastel tones of the interiors of Erlebachova bouda,” smiles Thomas Grund. In the rooms, not only switches and power outlets were utilized, but also data and television outlets or analog thermostats regulating underfloor heating are found in the same design. "With the anthracite color of the berker Q.3 switches and the overall atmosphere of the rooms, we coordinated other functional elements of the interior as well. In the end, we combined Nordlux ceiling lights with wall lights and table lamps Enna from Astro Lighting. In the bathrooms, you will find inventive fittings from the London manufacturer Buster+Punch,” adds Katrin Grund, founder and owner of the MONOBRAND concept store that supplied interior accessories for the Stodola reconstruction.

All components of today's Erlebachova bouda fit together, the old blends with the new, the individual parts are interconnected, and the entire concept operates as a single unit following all the demanding renovations and extensions. The area features not only accommodation capacities but also a lobby bar, café, wellness center, and a multifunctional hall primarily serving for conferences and corporate events. However, the most valuable aspect that draws guests back to Erlebachova bouda cannot be found in the interior of the hut – the greatest asset of the area is the surrounding mountain nature and the authentic atmosphere of life on the ridge of our highest mountains.

www.hager.cz/vypinac
www.monobrand.cz
www.erlebachovabouda.cz
Ing. arch. Zuzana Sceranková and Ing. arch. Matúš Sceranka

"A great woman and a great team; then you just need to be a visionary. However, I say this with a smile, for I am increasingly convinced that what we have managed to achieve is primarily a work of God. The many good people who have accompanied us from ideas to individual realizations are proof of this. My wife Martina and I fell in love with this beautiful piece of land on the main ridge of the Krkonoš under the mountain Malý Šišák. In 1997, we bought Josefova bouda at this location, and a year later Erlebachova bouda. The history of Erlebachova bouda dates back to the reign of Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor. This year we celebrate an incredible 240 years since its founding. Twenty years ago, we met architect Zuzana Sceranková, who was on vacation with her then thirteen-year-old son, today's co-author of the reconstruction Matúš, at our place, and thus began our long-term cooperation. Our shared debut was the chapel of St. Francis of Assisi from 2007. Over time, the whole complex began to bear the name of this saint. Martina and I felt like settlers who discovered a new beautiful land and anchored their lives and faith here. The vertical dimension of faith is absolutely fundamental for the whole family and has fully manifested its strength even in the reconstruction of Erlebachova bouda, which began in 2010. This year we are finishing the last details. From idea to finalization, it has taken 20 years. A lifelong work. The hotel was closed for only 4.5 months in 2010. Construction continued while operating, except for the forced closure during COVID. It was quite crazy, but thanks to my wife and the great team of hotel staff and everyone involved in the realization, it was managed, and the result is magnificent. Today all three of our children work with us, who have become completely intertwined with this story of the place, ensuring a successful future for decades to come. Our currently six grandchildren are also happy here and feel at home. It has made and continues to make sense. Thank you, thank you all. And a special thanks to Jaroslav Jidříšek up there, who taught me the song about the beauty of wood. Thank you, Jarda." Recalls Jiří Tomášek