INDIAN SHIP
Renovation of a functionalist villa
The villa was built in 1936 according to the design of a noted Czech architect Vladimír Grégr , grandson of a wellknown journalist and politician . Built in functionalist style , the villa has significant rustic elements including conical exterior walls , rough dragged work and wooden casing . In the framework of maximum respect to the original character of the house , the modifications include removal of the accumulation of insensitive silt of the 80s , highlighting the unique spaces and architectural details , and adaptation to modern living standards .
Vladimír Grégr ’ s work has been strongly influenced by his stay in the United States and the inspiration from the romantic haciendas of the Californian movie stars . Based on this experience he started designing aerodynamic functionalist houses . He also started developing a rather romantic shape morphology inspired not only by the mentioned Neo- Spanish style , but also by Jan Kotěra . The first opportunity to use his new approach was at Barrandov in Prague , where the Barrandov Film Studios and a sightseeing restaurant were built at the impulse of Havel brothers . The builder and developer Mr . Havel wished for the studios to be complemented by luxury residences built along the narrow Barrandov streets . He approached several architects , among them Vladimír Grégr , who gradually built seven villas in the location . Most likely it was Grégr ’ s style , that most corresponded both with the romantic surroundings and the taste of the Czech film stars , who wanted to live like their famous Hollywood counterparts . We had the opportunity to participate in the renovation of one of these villas nicknamed Indian Ship .
The Indian Ship used to belong to diplomat Růžička . It is a carefully composed lengthwise shell placed onto the south-east Barrandov slope , parallel to the Barrandovská Street . The interior layout is strongly oriented towards the garden , all the residential rooms – the super-elevated living room , dining room and library on the ground floor , and the three bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor , are facing it . On the other hand , the utility rooms and hallways are Northwest oriented , facing the street , which also shows in the stern character of the street façade .
The aim of the project was to preserve the identity and quality of the house , while reacting to the needs of the present era .
During the project we tried to preserve all that was important and remove everything useless . The aim of the project was to preserve the identity and quality of the house , while reacting to the needs of the present era .
Based on its exterior character , the villa was listed as architectural monument and we tried to save its unique figure , window panes , façade character and architectural details . At the same time , it was necessary to deal with the building and technical challenges arising from the used constructions and materials of the time .
The house was designed as a reinforced concrete frame walled in with hollow blocks . We performed extensive technical research , measured window and wall heat passage and did thermal photography before we began our work on the design . Our enquiry revealed significant heat bridges caused by the frame load-bearing construction , insufficiently insulated roof and damp basement walls . On the other hand , the window thermal transmission coefficient turned out to be surprisingly good . We approached the renovation based on our findings and with the improvement of interior environment quality on our mind . The modifications consisted of replacing the original roof structure with a modern one , adding 5 cm of thermal insulation to the façade , and a combination of hydro-insulation and other technological arrangements ensuring the usability of the underground premises , something that was previously impossible . At the same time , we executed energy and economic studies . These determined that a gas boiler would be most efficient for heating and water heating . Heating is provided for by floor heating in combination with tubular radiators contributing to the unique interior character . An air-condition unit was placed into the basement . It should provide permanent ventilation in case of humidity penetrating from the exterior .
Cone-shaped exterior walls , rough combed stucco and oak windows were characteristic to the unique exterior design . Unfortunately , the stucco was badly damaged . Despite all our efforts it was unrepairable , and we had to replace it . Fortunately enough , we were able to find a technical and aesthetic solution that was almost identical to the original , including colour and structure .
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