The Globetrotter
When he decided to become a globetrotter, his eyes widened, and he began to dream. Memories of his cherished grandmother's tales, filled with cars adorned with horseshoe-shaped grilles, came flooding back.
The Globetrotter's grandmother had shared a lifelong friendship with Eliška Junková, a remarkable and brave woman who was a Bugatti ambassador in Ceylon. Her stories revolved around well-deserved victories, driving with an extraordinary feel to the car and the racetrack. Drive fast but smooth. He held onto this philosophy throughout his life, never forcing things. He understood that true beauty resided in the balance between order and complexity. He recognized the enduring value of timeless design and acknowledged that form follows function. With an old black and white photograph in hand, featuring two smiling young women in a Bugatti T35, adorned with flowers, he stepped into his new Prague loft, VNG 903.
The Idea
The design of Loft VNG 903—Globetrotter represents a fusion of (post)industrial architecture and the spirit of early 20th-century modernism. Within the industrial framework, we incorporated a tribute to the modernist ideals of the First Republic era.
The interior design is imbued with the essence of an imaginary hero—a visionary, a time traveler, a globetrotter who traverses the spiral of the modern age with unwavering precision. Yet, his journey doesn't tether him solely to the past; he possesses both the imagination and the means to co-create the contours of the future. The concept of 'co-creation' is central to understanding the allocation of spatial functions.
The Layout
The heart of this space is the expansive central living area. It aligns along a central axis, housing a kitchen with a bar island, a spacious dining/conference table, and a retractable projection screen that conceals the panoramic strip windows, offering a view of the covered parking garage (an area dear to the car collector he is).
Our imaginary hero's life revolves around meeting and connecting inspiring individuals, where the excitement oscillates between formal and informal gatherings. With the last rays of the sun, the atmosphere seamlessly transitions from a representative setting to that of a vibrant club.
The loft's defining characteristic is its expansive open space, where movable walls and curtains allow for flexible arrangements without compromising the sense of openness and airiness.
The built-in elements expand the living area and co-create the dynamics of the space. The floor serves as an elevated gallery—a bridge. It also accommodates a guest bed. Concealed within the bridge is a walk-through dressing room and separate facilities comprising a shower and a toilet.
The Atmosphere
The club lounge boasts a laid-back ambiance, featuring comfortable sofas, a coffee table, and a stylish geometric bookcase. Here, formality takes a back seat. The generously sized window and a glass door, allow for easy access to the veranda, effectively expanding the space. A warm red neon light enhances the relaxed atmosphere, reminiscent of nocturnal drives through unfamiliar, bustling cities.
The loft's open space is further enriched by the inclusion of an enamel bath nestled between the lounge and the bedroom. Our hero, The Globetrotter, is an unabashed connoisseur of comfort. Draped in a robe, he emerges directly from the bath through the glass doors onto the balcony, where he enjoys a glass of his favorite Boulevardier.
The interior design is thoughtfully conceived to accommodate a range of user activities. Our hero relishes the splendid isolation the loft offers, dedicating his time to intellectual pursuits. The absence of fixed partitions in the open-plan layout affords ample space for free-flowing thoughts. Periodically, the introverted recluse transforms into a host of gatherings. Opportunities to host social events in a club-style format are ingrained in the spatial layout's DNA. The dining area, conference space, bar, and lounge seamlessly unite as an organic whole. Guests find themselves at the center of the action in each of these areas. For private conversations or solitary moments, an elevated gallery floor provides a discreet vantage point to quietly oversee all the activity on the floor below.
The Homage
The spirit of the racing legend, Eliška Junková, imbues the entire loft's design. It pays homage to the pioneering era of car racing, a time that profoundly influenced the loft's atmosphere. The two daring interwar decades of the 20th century embodied an era of unwavering confidence, where individuals eagerly gazed upon a future full of promise, delving into novel technologies, and disregarding conventional limits. Modernism, futurism, and functionalism converge in fascination with clean lines, the kinetic energy of motion, aerodynamic forms, and rounded corners. The selection of fundamental materials—metal, concrete, wood, stone, and glass—likewise pays homage to classical modernity.
The Future
Our hero isn't confined to the past; he embodies the contemporary ethos of recycling and upcycling, epitomizing elegance. The ceiling features light-transmitting panels in the dressing room, toilets, and doorway, serving as a prototype of recycled plastics—a bold exploration of novel solutions. And boldness, much like the timeless melodies of jazz on a vinyl record player, is among our hero's defining attributes.
Team:
Architects: Skull Studio
Authors: Bet Orten, Matěj Hájek
Client: PSN
Photographer: BoysPlayNice
Materials Used:
steel construction, plasterboard cladding, and facade plaster – built-in element
high gloss root veneer with marquetry – built-in closets
steel construction with primed sheet metal, oak veneer interiors – designer kitchen
oak veneer – designer beds and headboards
steel construction – designer shelves in the living area
Artwork:
The day I found you in a snowstorm -– original photograph, Bet Orten, lightbox
Amelia Erhart meets JK 2500 – original photograph, Bet Orten, fine-art print
TO THE EAST II – Matěj Hájek, mixed media
Escape – Matěj Hájek, concrete, glass
Rider – Tomáš Skála, bronze
He in the Forest – Josef Achrer, acrylic
Mart luminaire (tubular construction, neon): SKULL studio
dining table (solid oak, cherry and walnut marquetry): SKULL studio
chest of drawers (oak veneer, nine layers of lacquer): SKULL studio
Francois coffee table (marble, granite, steel): SKULL studio
wardrobe (interior oak, birch, cherry): SKULL studio
Camaleonda sofa: Mario Bellini/ B&B Italia
Tubular sofa: MODERNISTA
Chaise Lounge: design by Adolf Loos for the Hamptons, manufacturer MODERNISTA
Triadic pendant lamp: Chris Basias
DDR LED Strip Light: Polished – Trainspotters Lighting
S 32 VH bar stool – Thonet
chair: Jiří Kroha
Tubular chair with armrests: design by Mart Stam, manufacturer MODERNISTA,
wooden pedestal stands: Richard Senéši (material basic)
K 106 armchair: MODERNISTA
LC4 chaise lounge: design by Le Corbusier, manufacturer Cassina
