Brno-based architecture practice RO_AR Szymon Rozwalka architects has built a single-family house merging the two volumes with an undulating grass-filled roof in Hlubočepy, the Czech Republic.

Named Family House Hlubocepy, the 268-square-metre house sits on the border of two worlds: urban and natural. 

From the north-western side of the site is a wedge of bio-corridor stretching along the Dalejský Brook. The corridor is enhanced by the distinctive exposure of the Hlubočepské Rocks.

Urban space surrounds the site on the south and east sides. RO_AR Szymon Rozwalka architects describes the project plot as "a chaotic and random development, often adversely affecting the value of the projected terrain." 

Based on the contextual parameters, the studio decided to create a form and spatial layout that can directly give response to this site.

The proposed house design seeks to extend the natural context into the interior of the site and into the interiors. 

On the other hand, the house is then separated from the ‘urban world’, for which it becomes an abstract body that, through its form and scale corresponds to the surrounding rocks in the background.

At the same time, the form of the building addresses the need for proper illumination of the rooms by natural light, the question of “the problem of the ‘narrow’ entrance and the problematic location of the neighbouring building on the southern boundary of the site.

In the first steps, the studio designed a building that was created by the method of land deformation. The terrain was to transition smoothly from the north-west side into an artificial hill into which the house was to be placed. 

From the southeast side, the “hill” was to be undercut, which would allow the creation of an entrance patio under the building, created in that part by a different rectangular geometry.

Due to the need to limit the budget, it was necessary to significantly reduce the previously proposed building. It was decided on the risky method of directly cutting away “unnecessary” elements, which had to significantly affect the final result. 

Such a deliberately primitive and direct cut-off has in places resulted in surprisingly good effects, in other places the effect was worse. 

The changes involved almost exclusively organic, rear part of the building and had little effect on the interior spaces that, which, according to the original concept, were created by the clash between two geometries: organic and rectangular.

Ground floor plan

First floor plan

Roof floor plan

Section A

Section B

East elevation

West elevation

Scheme

Visualization original design graphic

Visualization built part graphic

RO_AR Szymon Rozwałka architects was established in 2011 and the studio operates in Poland and the Czech Republic. A very important sphere of operation of the studio is designing “within the existing”, designing “in contradiction”.

Project facts

Project name: Family House Hlubocepy

Architects: RO_AR Szymon Rozwalka

Location: Hlubočepy, Czech Republic

Project completion date: 2021

Built-up area: 268 m2

Plot size: 2, 495 m2

Structural engineer: STATIKA Olomouc (Daniel Lemák, Roman Koiš)

Building services engineering: Projekce TZB Prokeš (Jaroslav Prokeš)

Landscape architect: Flera

General contractor: Bursik Holding

All images © Viola Hertelová.

All drawings © RO_AR Szymon Rozwalka.

> via RO_AR Szymon Rozwalka

built family house RO_AR