(text is machine translated by Google)
Ing. arch. Marek Štěpán: It all started when Mirek Mixa, the owner of the coffee machines, approached me. His colleague has a nice villa. He learned that I made it, and he would like the same, or better. That was the first impulse. The brief was clear: "I would like a house where I can live outside as much as possible and it would win the prize."
We met when I was exhausted from building Freedomky. It wasn't long before Mirek changed his mind about our cooperation. He thought to himself, "What kind of burnt out guy is this?" But he didn't give up. We chose one of his two plots. The smaller and more complex one in the center of Nové Jičín won.
The process was quite simple. The plot was around 500 m2. The moment a classic house would be placed in the middle, nothing would be left of the garden. The neighborly bond was interesting. The investor's ex-wife lives on the neighboring property. So we had to come up with an unconventional solution.
A proposal was made, Mirek accepted it. We developed the documentation for the building permit and the first foundation was laid. The permit took two and a half years. There were various obstacles, but the biggest and most bizarre one stood out. Before the entrance to the garage, there is a triangular area measuring about 3 m2, which was planted with four plants paid for from the European Union fund. But I have never physically seen any plants there. If they were there, they are already dead. However, it was an insurmountable obstacle to enter through this empty space, let alone drive through it. We overcame the problem with a footbridge, thanks to which we obtained a building permit. After acquiring the building permit, the sustainability of the park's subsidy fell and the problem ceased to exist. So the biggest problem of the construction was the imaginary paper situation.
MŠ: The villa carries the motif of a Greek free atrium without supports, where the roof slopes away from it. The lower floor is made of heavy monolithic concrete, followed by a light wooden part made of glued wooden panels, a principle used for centuries. Due to the high level of pressurized groundwater, we used an air tank, another old familiar thing. It's basically a passageway that water can get into, but it doesn't get any further into the house.
The atrium becomes the core of the house. Family life takes place outside more than usual. So the assignment was completed. And they really live outside.
The layout takes place on one entrance axis - entrance, vestibule, staircase, fireplace. The line crossing the house is supported by lighting and material. For example, the concrete from which the stairs are cast supports upward movement.
Kindergarten: The house has two entrances. One economic one when I need to solve something in the garden or welcome a visitor without going through the house. The second, main entrance directly to the interior is located under the welcoming balcony in the lower part.
When I thought about the project, I imagined a natural house. No speculation, calculus or sophisticated business. It's all about natural movement, feel and light. The house responds to the terrain, which is sloping. The atrium is less than a floor higher than the entrance and the bedroom area is a few steps above the lower part. It's not quite a raumplan, but a reaction to the terrain.
Now I thought of a great story from the debates about the interior. From the bathroom there is access to a triangular balcony from which visitors can be welcomed. Mirek asked me: "Why should I go out of the bathroom?" I don't remember exactly my answer, but I say I said: "Do you like to look in the mirror when you brush your teeth?" "Well no..." "Imagine that you go out with a toothbrush in your mouth, you look towards the city, at the street, who is passing by... and on the way from the bathroom you taste a fresh strawberry. The day goes on. Isn't that a great idea?” He remembers such details and experiences.
When I wanted to get his blood pumping on the inspection day, I arrived with two cups of coffee from a competing company. That was sure to crack him up and we could continue. No problem was then a problem.
Kindergarten: You can see from the living room to the bedroom or the sauna, but the glass reflections ensure privacy. Penetration into the surrounding world takes place through lathing.
The story of the inner landscape - an interview with architect Marko Štěpán
"I want a house in which I can live more outside, it will be at least as good as Radek's, and it will win a prize." Such a simple assignment was at the beginning of the project, which due to an imaginary situation he almost didn't get a building permit and in the end won the Building of the Year 2021 award.
Interview with the author of the villa Vnítrni krajina in Nové Jičín, Marko Štěpán:
Ing. arch. Adéla Šoborová: How did you come to the project? How was the whole process? What accompanied you on the way to a perfect result?
We met when I was exhausted from building Freedomky. It wasn't long before Mirek changed his mind about our cooperation. He thought to himself, "What kind of burnt out guy is this?" But he didn't give up. We chose one of his two plots. The smaller and more complex one in the center of Nové Jičín won.
The process was quite simple. The plot was around 500 m2. The moment a classic house would be placed in the middle, nothing would be left of the garden. The neighborly bond was interesting. The investor's ex-wife lives on the neighboring property. So we had to come up with an unconventional solution.
A proposal was made, Mirek accepted it. We developed the documentation for the building permit and the first foundation was laid. The permit took two and a half years. There were various obstacles, but the biggest and most bizarre one stood out. Before the entrance to the garage, there is a triangular area measuring about 3 m2, which was planted with four plants paid for from the European Union fund. But I have never physically seen any plants there. If they were there, they are already dead. However, it was an insurmountable obstacle to enter through this empty space, let alone drive through it. We overcame the problem with a footbridge, thanks to which we obtained a building permit. After acquiring the building permit, the sustainability of the park's subsidy fell and the problem ceased to exist. So the biggest problem of the construction was the imaginary paper situation.
Next came the execution of the construction and the selection of the contractor. The contractors persuaded Mirko to throw the project in the trash and build a normal house. He was already fired up, but luckily he fell in love with the project and didn't give up on the idea. A single construction company caught on. For which I am glad, because it was the next step and construction could begin. Construction took 3 years. The first meeting took place in 2012.
AŠ: What is the villa based on? Is the house inspired by any known principles?
The atrium becomes the core of the house. Family life takes place outside more than usual. So the assignment was completed. And they really live outside.
The layout takes place on one entrance axis - entrance, vestibule, staircase, fireplace. The line crossing the house is supported by lighting and material. For example, the concrete from which the stairs are cast supports upward movement.
The facade to the street is also an interesting element. The house seemed too substantial when viewed from the street. That is why a flower bed about 70 cm wide was created there, from which greenery grows and smoothly connects to the hedge of the neighboring plot. This split the house into horizontal strips.
AŠ: I was interested in the entrance in the upper part of the property. Such a narrow alley leading to the atrium. I always peeked through her when I walked by.
When I thought about the project, I imagined a natural house. No speculation, calculus or sophisticated business. It's all about natural movement, feel and light. The house responds to the terrain, which is sloping. The atrium is less than a floor higher than the entrance and the bedroom area is a few steps above the lower part. It's not quite a raumplan, but a reaction to the terrain.
Now I thought of a great story from the debates about the interior. From the bathroom there is access to a triangular balcony from which visitors can be welcomed. Mirek asked me: "Why should I go out of the bathroom?" I don't remember exactly my answer, but I say I said: "Do you like to look in the mirror when you brush your teeth?" "Well no..." "Imagine that you go out with a toothbrush in your mouth, you look towards the city, at the street, who is passing by... and on the way from the bathroom you taste a fresh strawberry. The day goes on. Isn't that a great idea?” He remembers such details and experiences.
When I wanted to get his blood pumping on the inspection day, I arrived with two cups of coffee from a competing company. That was sure to crack him up and we could continue. No problem was then a problem.
It is true that our mutual cooperation was pleasant. Understanding prevailed. The problem was more with the suppliers of windows, interior, etc.
AŠ: What role does the atrium play? How do the transparencies work there?
The atrium is very strong, has the shape of an ellipse and functions as a unifying element. The imaginary core of the house is really there. Although there is a small echo of the center in the form of a skylight in the dining room, it is smaller compared to the atrium. The atrium literally draws people out.
AŠ: The balcony in the lower part reveals what is happening in the house. What is its role?
MŠ: The balcony is actually the only exterior space on the public exterior. It is quite large and is the only space/element that faces the street. That's why it's important. In addition to the bathroom, it is connected to the ladies' office.
AŠ: You have already indicated a few interior principles. What about the material solution?
MŠ: The entire interior is monochrome made of bleached spruce. The only contrasting element is the black kitchen unit and door. The furniture and walls are deliberately made of soft wood so that the walls and furniture are of the same material. On the contrary, the floor is made of hard oak.
AS: It all fits together beautifully. Soft walls, hard plates. Another dominant element is the decorated wall in the bedroom. What's her story?
Kindergarten: This is a built-in wardrobe over the entire wall, on which there is a silhouette of the Beskydy Mountains with Lysa Hora. The surface is divided into two colors and is entirely perforated. After roasting, it looks like a night sky full of stars with a red glowing transmitter. It is not only a decoration, but serves as a dim, unobtrusive bedroom lighting.
AS: How did the neighborhood react? Were there angry aunts walking around the house?
MŠ: I'm not sure if the aunts were angry, but from the beginning the neighbors guessed what it would actually be. First it was Jednota, then summer cinema. The biggest pranksters called it a border fortification bunker. Two ladies came to the inspection day. With great satisfaction, they told us: "So now we know what it will be!" It's a crematorium.” The material combination of concrete and wood is not entirely typical, so it aroused different imaginations.
AŠ: The house fits there beautifully, even though it is completely different from the surroundings.
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AŠ: For example, you will receive an invitation from the town hall.
Kindergarten: (Laughs)
AŠ: What is your favorite moment in the house?
MŠ: The whole house was built around outdoor seating that is lower than the ground. There was a corner with a circular skylight and an outdoor kitchen. I would like to have this moment at home. It's outside, hidden, it doesn't rain there and you can project it on the wall.
AS: What event would you end our conversation with?
21. 10. 2021 Brno
The interview was conducted by: Ing. arch. Adéla ŠoborováLanguage corrections: Mgr. Kristýna Cimalová
Photo: BoysPlayNice
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