Byt Vila Bianca

The historic Villa Bianca, designed between 1910-11 by architect Jan Kotěra, has undergone numerous modifications since its inception. The most recent was a radical reconstruction completed in 2003 according to the design of Dutch architect Erick van Egeraata. The exterior appearance of the villa was returned to a form inspired by Jan Kotěra's original design, but the interior, in contrast to the historical exterior, matched the time of its creation at the turn of the millennium. No period elements were preserved. Inside the apartment, the only reminders that you are in a modernist villa from the early 20th century were the replicas of the window frames.
We propose a new interior for the historic villa. We are seeking a relationship between the interior and the house, wanting to restore the dialogue with history. A purely contemporary approach to design without decorative and historicizing details is combined with the selection of materials and solitary furniture that reference the time of the villa's creation.
Dark oiled oak on the parquet floors and furniture, along with accents of natural brass, will acquire a natural patina over time. The plaster finishes on the walls have a matte white coating consistent with the paint of the doors and the finish of the built-in furniture. This allows the play of light and shadow to stand out. In the bathrooms, we combine irregularly shaped tiles with a subtle pattern of marble on the floor. The investors' passion for glass is reflected in the abundance of mirrors, glass light fixtures, and the long windowsill in the living room, designed as a pedestal for displaying glass objects.
We have adapted the apartment without altering the load-bearing structures to meet current family living needs. The kitchen was moved into a common south-facing space with the dining room and living room. This created a separate study in the apartment with the option of overnight accommodation. The bedroom in the northern part of the apartment has a separate dressing area with a sink and its own bathroom with access to the balcony. We brightened the hallway in the middle of the apartment with daylight from the surrounding rooms.