FAMILY VILLA CALLED VODÁRNA

A derelict waterworks hidden among pine trees becomes the inspiration for a new family home. The two structures, old and new, are united through a water courtyard and shared material language, where past and present meet in a harmony that breathes new life into the place.

Area of the villa 210 m² + waterhouse 140 m²
Project year: 2018 – 2020

Principal architect Zuzana & Jan Kurz

Architect Elena Fialková
Completion year: –

Area of the villa 210 m² + waterhouse 140 m²
Project year: 2018 – 2020
Principal architect Zuzana & Jan Kurz
Architect Elena Fialková
Completion year: –

Amidst tall pines, you step onto a plot of land once home to a crumbling brick waterworks from the pre-war era: a neo-Renaissance two-chamber reservoir adorned with rusticated plasterwork and stone architectural details. The buried water tank is covered with grass and punctuated by several small ventilation chimneys. This forgotten building became the central inspiration for the new family house we have been developing for some time. It profoundly defines the houses’s character, horizontal orientation and architectural order.

Meanwhile, the surrounding pine forest dictates the vertical rhythm of the new composition. During the design process, we explored many options. We were metaphorically digging beneath the waterworks and climbing into the treetops, only to return, ultimately, to the ground itself. The resulting design features a floor plan almost identical to that of the original structure, creating a dialogue between past and present. Both the waterworks and the new home share similar materials, establishing a subtle continuity across time.

The old reservoir will be given a new life, linked to the house through a central courtyard with a reflective water surface. The new dwelling will be raised on concrete piers to minimize the impact on the root systems of the surrounding pines, while maintaining a gentle footprint on the landscape. The new home is conceived as a modest yet generous family retreat, while the revitalized waterworks will be open to the public as a venue for small gatherings like piano recitals accompanied by good wine.

Materials

Brick • Clay • Concrete • Glass • Steel • Pines • Stone • Water

Materials