The Czech studio SENAA architekti has designed the Family House with Atrium, located on the limits of the small town of Podluží, Moravian Region, Czech Republic. The project consists of a platform on which a habitable volume with a landscaped terrace sits; symmetry predominates and the design strategies of classical architecture are constant.

The house appropriates the archetype of the atrium, configuring an anteroom to enter the house and organizing itself through a patio that communicates the platform with the upper level.
The house designed by SENAA architekti has a diverse program where private uses such as rooms and services are grouped on the ground floor and common uses on the first floor, in relation to the garden terrace. A concrete sculptural staircase welcomes users head-on into the lobby and ascends to the common areas.

On the terrace is placed the garden and the swimming pool, both hierarchical spaces of the project; there, symmetry is abandoned and surfaces are created at different levels that alternate with vegetation. On the top, there is a dining room with its kitchen to take advantage of the spaces linked to the outside.
 

Description of project by SENAA architekti

The investors bought a relatively small sloping lot with a view to Palava hills. The assignment for the architects was quite simple: “A family house if you are able to fit anything on this lot.”

The house is part of a newly-built street on the edge of a small Moravian village. The new development doesn’t take into account the traditional row design of local villages. Houses here are not attached, without any unifying feature; they mutually don’t respect roof ridge or roof pitch.

The challenge was to design contemporary living in a village neighborhood consisting primarily of “catalogue” houses.

The architecture design reflects the morphology of the terrain.  A half-embedded atrium allows comfortable exiting from the ground floor and attic to the garden. The overall solution maximizes the potential of the lot for a house and garden and its connectivity. The garden is a thoughtful extension of inner space – with its own living space, outdoor kitchen/dining room. Unifying the interior and exterior units provides comfortable living with sufficient technical and storage space.

The overall composition of the house is symmetrical. The main house entrance is centrally located. From a vestibule we enter a spacious hall. The dignity of the space is amplified with a view of the inner atrium.

There is a private section of the house on the ground floor - children/guest room facing the street, a bedroom exiting to atrium and other parts – bathroom, changing room, sauna, mechanical room. 

The central feature of the house is a sculptural staircase leading from the hall to the upper living space.

The upper floor presents a space opened to the ridge of the roof.   The boxed space integrates an office room, library, toilet, pantry and a fireplace.  It also outlines the living room, dining room and kitchen.  There is a direct exit from the dining room and living room to the terrace and garden. 

The house is complemented with a garden house designed as a wooden pavilion with an outdoor kitchen and storage room for garden equipment. The basement contains a wine cellar. The garden, due to its size, becomes an extension of the inner space. The small garden maximizes available space. It includes a swimming pool with shower, relaxation area, an herbal flower beds, and compost etc. 

The house is built from bricks, without a basement; the construction is based on concrete strips. Weight bearing walls are sealed with ceramic blocks 500 mm thick. The ceilings are made from a monolithic reinforced concrete. The roof is a combined system of wooden rafters placed between binders made of steel frames.  The upper roof is made of folded metal sheet. The flat roof is designed with an extensive green area.  The house is plastered; the ground floor is toned to dark gray with a coarse structure and distinctive texture. The upper floor is lighter-colored natural plaster.  A carport, workshop room and garden house are made from wooden frames. Filling is made from wooden boards and slats; part of the roof is made from glass for illumination.  The windows leading to the garden are shaded with external textile screens and sunshades.

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Architects
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Design team
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Václav Navrátil, Jan Sedláček, David Korsa, Jan Gadziala.
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Collaborators
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Landscape architect.- Atelier Partero.
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Area
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Built-up Area.- 137 sqm. Gross Floor Area.- 233 sqm. 158 sqm. Plot size.- 570 sqm.
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Dates
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Project.- 2016. Completion.- 2019.
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Manufacturers
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Windows.- Jánošík. Floor.- Princ Parketfloor. Coating.- Němec. Doors.- Dorsis. Built-in furniture.- Truhlářství Skoupil. Faucets.- Grohe. Bathroom Ceramics.- Laufen. Swimming pool.- Bazény Urbánek. Concrete fencing.- Prefa.
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Location
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Podluží, Moravia, Czech Republic.
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Photography
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SENAA is an architectural studio founded by Jan Sedláček and Václav Navrátil. They have gained extensive professional experience in studios in Brno, Prague, Rotterdam, Los Angeles and New York which they continue to expand. They take an individualist approach to each project. They seek out novel solutions and place great emphasis on economical designs and the affordable implementation of structures. They work in all areas of architecture, ranging from new construction to renovation and interior design.

Ing. arch. Jan Sedláček

Born in 1981 in Prostejov (Czech Republic), graduate of Faculty of Architecture in Brno. One year study on the Faculty of architecture in Brighton (2008), followed by a one year fellowship in RoToArchitects in Los Angeles and Zakrzewski Hyde Architects in New York (2009). He worked for a Brno-located architecture studio DRNH (2010). In 2011 he co- founded with V. Navrátil architecture studio SENAA.

Ing. arch. Václav Navrátil

Born in 1983 in Kyjov (Czech Republic), graduate of Faculty of Architecture in Brno (2005). One year fellowship in architecture studio Group A in Rotterdam, Holland (2008). He spent 3 years in the architecture studio of L. Labus. In 2011 co-founded with J. Sedláček architecture studio SENAA.
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