MATERN VILLA – CRAFT ACADEMY SOUTH BOHEMIA

A First Republic villa on a vast forested estate is being transformed into a unique space for work, education and relaxation. The renovation honors the home’s original character while adding modern guest units and a garden wellness retreat.

KURZ architects • Řemeslná akademie jižní Čechy

Area 506 m²
Project year: 2020

Principal architect Zuzana & Jan Kurz

Architect Ernest Babyn
Completion year: 2021

Area 506 m²
Project year: 2020
Principal architect Zuzana & Jan Kurz
Architect Ernest Babyn
Completion year: 2021

The forest colony in Včelná, near České Budějovice, was once home to several villas nestled beneath the woods. One of them has survived, along with its extensive three-quarter-hectare grounds. It used to be the home of a single family, but the owners envisioned transforming it into a unique Craft Academy – a place providing an exceptional setting for individuals, groups and companies to work, learn and rest.

The entire First Republic villa has been renovated from the surfaces to the roof trusses and ceilings, which originally failed to meet structural requirements. Great emphasis was placed not only on the quality of materials but also on the structural integrity of the restoration. The project respected the villa’s historical value, adapting its layout carefully to preserve the dominant character of the original interior spaces. The villa’s layout comprises one large and two smaller salons, a winter garden, a modern kitchen designed for hosting culinary events, and ten private rooms. Each bedroom has its own bathroom, as there was a strong emphasis on comfort and privacy.

In the garden, shaded by mature trees and lush vegetation, new small-scale buildings are being introduced. Each of them explore one of three elements: air, water and earth. One structure is embedded in the ground beneath the site’s service path, another is suspended among the trees using their natural structural strength, and the third hovers lightly above a pond. These units extend the villa’s accommodation capacity, but with a different spirit – offering solitude and disconnection for personal reflection or indulgence. The garden also features a new pavilion with facilities, situated close to the main villa and designed to support larger events and gatherings.

Today, the villa is fully restored. The pavilion and the garden lodges await their realization.

Materials

Wood • Alumnium • Brass • Glass • Linen • Facign concrete • Ceramic tiles • Stainless steel • Wool rugs • Oak • Stone

Materials