S atriem in the heart

Family House was created as part of new development in the Podluží area. The inspiration for the architects was not only the wishes of the owners but primarily the land itself with a view of Pálava. Due to its small area and uneven terrain, the design of modern living utilizing every bit of space was a real challenge. The location also played a significant role. Although the houses in the newly emerging street did not take much into account the context of a traditional Slovácko village, the influence of original folk architecture also had a role in this realization. The investors and architects were essentially on the same page regarding the direction of the design. "The owners were incredibly enlightened. At the beginning, we had several internal working versions. We presented only one, which we thought was the best, and it hardly differs from the realization," describes architect Václav Navrátil, co-founder of the SENAA architects studio.

Steel rafters

The one-story family house with two terraces respects the morphology of the varied terrain, yet its shape is essentially symmetrical. The base of the masonry structure sits on concrete strips and has an almost square floor plan. The load-bearing walls are made of ceramic blocks, on which reinforced concrete ceilings rest, and finally, the roof is made of folded sheet metal. The rafters were interestingly designed. "The rafter system is a combination of wooden rafters placed between full ties made of steel frames. The rafters are laid out in a 'wales' manner into the steel frames so that ties or braces do not appear in the interior," explains architect Václav Navrátil. An equally interesting solution was chosen for the flat roof space above the entrance, which was designed with extensive greenery. The house is heated by water-based underfloor heating. This provides a pleasant feeling when contacted with the floor and limits the occurrence of disruptive pipe lines.

Houses as if on vacation

The main entrance is located in the center of the front part of the house, accessible from the road. The front of the building is flanked on both sides by garage parking, created from wooden visible frames. The floors are visually separated by the color of the facade - while the ground floor features a dark gray color with a rougher texture, the first floor has a lighter natural plaster. Neutral colors are complemented by wooden elements of doors, frames, and windows in combination with the gates for car access and the access sidewalk. The parallel placement of doors and windows on the floors, together with paired greenery in front of the windows, only emphasizes the impression of regularity of the building, and the use of ornamental grass and light tones evokes the feeling of a tranquil seaside village.

The design purity of the wooden entrance doors was preserved by the architects using the MINIMAL handle with an invisible rose that does not exceed the outline of the handle and a separately installed security rose from the same collection by the Czech family manufactory M&T. The choice of the hardware manufacturer was not random. "We like using handles from M&T. It is a guarantee for us," says architect Václav Navrátil, explaining: "It is important for us that the entire modular series is in one design. The entrance handle is, therefore, the same as handles on other doors in the interior, including fully glazed ones, and even on the windows." The variability of the handle and its minimalist shape are the hallmarks of the MINIMAL model. "The MINIMAL hardware is universally prepared for all door types from hinged to sliding or pivoting, from wooden to fully glazed. Window handles and cylinder, mortise, and WC locks are also not left behind in the same design. This allows the entire project to be harmonized down to the last detail," describes Roman Ulich, the chief designer of M&T, whose philosophy is the production of ethically sustainable quality door and window hardware.

The center of everything – atrium

The ground floor of the house is shaped like an imaginary U. At its heart lies a semi-sunken outdoor atrium, from which one can ascend by stairs one level higher to a cascading garden, to elevated terraces, and finally to the first floor of the house. The atrium is the logical centerpiece of the entire composition, therefore the ground floor space is arranged so that it can be seen from all rooms. Immediately upon entering the house, a visitor finds themselves in the vestibule, from which, thanks to a glazed wall, one can see through the hall to the atrium. The atrium is, therefore, essentially the first thing visible in the house. The openness of the entrance space is supported by a wide mirror that stretches from floor to ceiling. The clear wall is fitted with Dorsis glazed doors with a contrasting dark frame and a MINIMAL handle in matte black titanium finish.

Stairs as a challenge

Just behind the door from the hall is probably one of the most complicated components of the entire building – a robust snake-like staircase. Its dimensions and atypical shape required technologically inventive solutions. "The sculpturally conceived staircase leading from the hall to the upper living area is the central motif of the house. It was difficult for the craftsmen to form the elegant curve and double bend of the stairs. In the end, they took it as a personal challenge, and the result is perfect," explains architect Václav Navrátil. Due to its unusual shape and the concrete overlay on the adjacent wall, the staircase is not only a functional but also a significantly design-oriented element. It can be found twice in the house – in the main hall and in a smaller version in the storage space located behind the left garage.

The central hall, where the staircase is located, serves as the entrance to all rooms on the ground floor and together creates the private core of the house. Thanks to the color-neutral tones and the connection to the glazed atrium, the hall is a very airy space that evokes the dignity of an ancient urban house. It also perfectly balances the crampedness of smaller rooms and brightens the center of the house. To the right and left of the main entrance are the children's and, if needed, guest rooms oriented toward the street. Their furnishings in neutral white and gray tones allow for undisturbed relaxation, and the wooden furniture and floor pleasantly soften the coldness of the color palette. The right bedroom connects to a spatially modest bathroom with a bathtub and a narrow wardrobe. The left bedroom, in turn, is adjacent to a small laundry room, neighboring a second bathroom with a shower and a sauna. Notably, the owners' main bedroom compensates for the absence of windows with a view and the possibility of passage to the point-lit atrium.

At the center of action

The imaginative work with space is also reflected in the concept of the first floor. The concept of centrality is repeated here but in the opposite form – while on the ground floor the rooms were oriented around the central open space, here the mass is concentrated in the center. "The entire upper floor is one continuous space open to the ridge of the roof. The 'box' of facilities integrates a study, library, WC, pantry, and fireplace. The box also defines the living room, dining room, and kitchen. And from the dining room and living room, there is direct access to the terrace and garden," describes architect Václav Navrátil. The space thus revolves around the entrance core with access stairs. A mini version of the study is supplemented here by a seating area, situated in one line with the edge of the staircase. Here too, one can find a motif shared with the ground floor. The concept of the glazed wall in the vestibule is modified here into a rectangular view toward the garden. Thanks to this, one has a perfect overview of what is happening in the kitchen and also outside.

The coldness of the concrete overlay used on the living wall and around the staircase is again softened by elements of light wood, especially the floor in the living area and the generous seating in the dining room. The height of the ceiling and numerous glazed areas prevent the feeling of crampedness, and a significant advantage is the possibility of using outdoor terraces raised above garden level. The furnishing of the terraces corresponds to the space they are connected to – the larger one, with passage from the living area, is equipped as a living room, while the smaller one, emerging from the dining room, is set up as a dining space. Thus, they serve as a sophisticated solution for the modest dimensions of the interior facilities and correspond to the intention of connecting with nature applied during the creation of the atrium and the garden. For cool and rainy days, a large seating area by the fireplace is prepared inside, ensuring not only the necessary warmth but also the perfect atmosphere of a snowy winter day.

To the kitchen and garden

An indispensable part of the family house is the garden. The goal of the architects was to maximize the potential of the land, so the terraced garden operates as an ingenious extension of the interior. With the outdoor living room, dining room, and kitchen, it forms a functional complement to the home's facilities and ensures comfortable living for the owners with the necessary support and space. Clumped plants and heated terraces evoke a vacation feeling in a seaside area, while the wine cellar and pool are just the icing on the cake of the residents' comfort. Typical garden features are also present, including a garden tool storage, herb beds, and compost. Thus, the garden of the house is truly a versatile space and fully meets the investors' vision.

Technical specifications

Progress of realization: project 2016, realization 2019
Land area: 570 m²
Usable area: 158 m²
Built-up area: 214 m²
Type of heating: water-based underfloor heating
Door handles: M&T, MINIMAL hardware
Architects: Ing. arch. Václav Navrátil and Ing. arch. Jan Sedláček, SENAA architects, s.r.o., www.senaa.cz, in collaboration with David Korso and Jan Gadziala

SENAA – an architectural studio founded by Jan Sedláček and Václav Navrátil. Valuable work experiences were gained in studios in Brno, Prague, Rotterdam, Los Angeles, New York, and further developed. We approach every assignment individually, seeking new solutions and placing great emphasis on the feasibility of the building. We work in a team of experienced architects and collaborate with a number of specialized companies. We deal with all areas of architecture from urbanism to new constructions, renovations, and interior design. Since we come from Haná and Slovácko, traditional principles and common sense are close to us.

Landscape architects: Atelier Partero s.r.o.
Photo: Alex Shoots Buildings for M&T