ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
BORŠOV RYE MILL RESIDENCE
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE ON THE BANKS OF THE VLTAVA
When we first entered the premises of the former Rye Mill in Boršov nad Vltavou in 2019, we were immediately captivated by the powerful narrative embedded in the site. For nearly two centuries, the energy of the Vltava intertwined here with the scent of grain and the rhythm of industrial machinery. The complex is connected to the river not only physically but historically. The original mill wheel was driven by a water channel, which at the beginning of the 20th century was replaced by two Francis turbines generating electricity. The dominant feature of the entire ensemble is a five-storey brick silo dating from the late 19th century, later complemented by concrete silos and an administrative building. On the opposite side stands a 17th-century Baroque château. The question before us was how to preserve this powerful imprint of the past while opening the site to a new life— housing for the 21st century.
Adaptation of a Brownfield Site for Contemporary Living
Today, the complex consists of four architectural volumes: two historic structures and two new buildings. In total, 83 residential units have been created, ranging from 45 to 150 m ², offering a diverse selection from compact one-bedroom apartments with kitchenette to spacious five-bedroom layouts. Among them is a unique duplex apartment within the original mill building, whose tower-like architecture provides a distinctive atmosphere.
A café has been placed on the ground floor of the main building, activating the square and connecting the site with the public realm. For us, it is a symbolic place where history and the present meet at one table.
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