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Architect’s Loft

Architect’s Loft
Tomáš Havel

Architect’s Loft

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Beneath the Brick Gate of the Vyšehrad Fortress lay an abandoned and unused attic space. The architect behind the reconstruction discovered this space during the COVID-19 lockdown and instantly fell in love with it. Within a few weeks, the necessary paperwork was completed, and the dream of creating his own home began to take shape.

photo_credit Tomáš Havel
Tomáš Havel
photo_credit Tomáš Havel
Tomáš Havel
photo_credit Tomáš Havel
Tomáš Havel

Most of the construction work was carried out independently due to limited financial resources or simply a desire to bring his design ideas to life personally. The original attic space was full of mold and dirt, requiring the removal of all non-original structures to reach the stage of a bare shell.

photo_credit Tomáš Havel
Tomáš Havel
photo_credit Tomáš Havel
Tomáš Havel
photo_credit Tomáš Havel
Tomáš Havel

The material and spatial concept centers around exposing and acknowledging the original historical elements, such as the chimney and beautiful wooden beams. The chimney block was stripped of layers of plaster and other materials, revealing its raw, naked form. The roof truss was meticulously cleaned with rotary brushes, showcasing its natural beauty to the fullest extent. Even the steel reinforcements of the truss joints were deliberately left exposed.

photo_credit Tomáš Havel
Tomáš Havel
photo_credit Tomáš Havel
Tomáš Havel

This "stripping down" of the construction inspired the transparent partition wall between the living area and the bedroom. The partition is designed with discreet steel profiles and simple glazing.

photo_credit Tomáš Havel
Tomáš Havel
photo_credit Tomáš Havel
Tomáš Havel

The apartment spans a total area of 75 square meters and features a two-room layout with a ceiling height of five meters at its highest point. The sloping roofline was utilized for built-in furniture and hidden storage, including a cleverly concealed 5-meter ladder for cleaning the glass partition.

photo_credit Tomáš Havel
Tomáš Havel
photo_credit Tomáš Havel
Tomáš Havel

All built-in furniture and new structures were intentionally designed to remain understated. Made from simple, economical, and unobtrusive materials, they allow the original historical features of the house on Prague's Vyšehrad to take center stage.

Project credits

Architects

Product spec sheet

Furniture
Babila soft bar stoo... and Babila 2706 by PEDRALI
Tiles
Ultra Marmi by Ariostea
Handles
Bedding

Project data

Project Year
2023
Category
Apartments
Primary Building Material
Brick
Building Area
75 m2
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