The Letná Apartment project demonstrates a pragmatic approach to residential renovation on a strictly limited budget. Rather than relying on expensive structural changes, the design respects the building’s original character, offering a viable example of affordable architecture— a highly relevant topic amidst the current housing crisis.

Located in a preserved 1930s building, the apartment had suffered from various insensitive interventions over the decades. The primary goal of the renovation was to strip away these accumulated layers, restore the high-quality original elements, and introduce a single, clearly legible new layer. The core of the apartment is a multifunctional dining room with an open kitchen, connected to the living room through a newly created passage. A glass block partition ensures privacy while drawing natural light deeper into the floor plan.

To maintain spatial openness and reduce costs, traditional built-in wardrobes were replaced with textile curtains. This solution saved a significant portion of the budget while visually unifying the entire interior. Despite the €15,000 limit, material durability remained a priority since the apartment is intended as a rental. This led to the selection of hard-wearing epoxy flooring and a stainless steel kitchen unit. Bold color accents—a blue bathroom and a vibrant green table—define the space's character, yet the neutral baseline leaves plenty of room for the future tenant's personal touch.

Team:

Architects: Prokop Hartl

Photographer: Radek Šrettr Úlehla

Materials Used:
solid oak – parquet flooring
cotton – custom-made curtains
epoxy resin – poured flooring
steel – custom dining table
stainless steel – kitchen unit
glass blocks – partition behind the kitchen counter
ceramic tiles – bathroom wall cladding
wired glass – shelves

Mono stool, wire shelf — anýz
Paper Shade — HAY
Mapa light  — Ideal Lux
Levit switches and sockets — ABB
ALMAREN faucet — IKEA
Colour Two ceramic wall and floor tiles — RAKO