{"id":33998,"date":"2025-05-20T15:27:35","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T15:27:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/casa-oskar-un-refugio-para-la-contemplacion-la-creacion-y-el-descanso-disenada-por-el-arquitecto-checo-jan-zaloudek\/"},"modified":"2025-05-21T15:39:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T15:39:32","slug":"casa-oskar-a-retreat-for-contemplation-creation-and-rest-designed-by-czech-architect-jan-zaloudek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/en\/casa-oskar-a-retreat-for-contemplation-creation-and-rest-designed-by-czech-architect-jan-zaloudek\/","title":{"rendered":"Casa Oskar: a retreat for contemplation, creation and rest designed by Czech architect Jan \u017daloudek"},"content":{"rendered":"

The House Oskar, designed by architect Jan \u017daloude<\/a>k, was built in a generous garden that originally belonged to the neighbouring chateau in the South Bohemian village of Kamenn\u00e1 Lhota. The site\u2019s remarkable genius loci<\/em> is enriched by the remnants of a Baroque barn, centuries-old mature trees, and a stone wall that frames the expansive property, opening into the picturesque rural landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n

The house, embodying the philosophy of contemplation, inspiration, and recreation, was built by the architect for himself and his family. Together with his wife, art historian and writer Jolanta Trojak, they long dreamed of a place where one could connect with the landscape or retreat inward to restore physical and mental strength. They envisioned a space that not only invites rest but also serves as a wellspring of creativity and inspiration\u2014qualities integral to their everyday lives.<\/p>\n\n\n

With meticulous attention to detail, they created a space where even the simplest daily routines transform into small, profound experiences. The House Oskar is a unique microcosm\u2014a harmonious sanctuary for sleeping, reading, dining, and creating, all in symbiosis with the universe outside its windows.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Perfection, imperfection, timelessness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The house’s design was shaped by the local topography and the constraints of building on a culturally protected site. The architect carefully integrated the building into the landscape and historical context, ensuring it did not overshadow the ch\u00e2teau and exuded a timeless character. Inspired by the idea of a chapel\u2014lacking in the village\u2014the resulting architecture is a harmonious blend of contrasts: new and old, interior and exterior, perfection and imperfection.<\/p>\n\n\n

The design respects the traditional elongated form of houses with gabled roofs, drawing on the vocabulary of local agricultural buildings. Perforated masonry, with openings for light and air found in nearby historical structures, serves as the building\u2019s defining feature. This detail acts as a sunshade for the southern gable wall and inspires the pattern of wooden shading panels on the other fa\u00e7ades. The compact form of the house is permeated by niches on each fa\u00e7ade\u2014references to Baroque morphology. These niches form entry vestibules and loggias, allowing flexible shading. The house can either fully open to the landscape, connecting its residents to the world, or close off to highlight its meditative character.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The building materials honor the local character of the surrounding structures and landscape. The load-bearing structure consists of insulated ceramic masonry combined with reinforced concrete elements. The white stucco fa\u00e7ade echoes the tone and texture of neighboring buildings. The roof is clad with fired ceramic tiles, and the shading panels are made from whitewashed Czech fir and spruce.<\/p>\n\n\n

Natural cycles and light<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Life in the house is intimately connected to natural cycles and the movement of daylight. From the bedroom and the main living space, which opens onto a panoramic view of the orchard, residents can observe the sunrise and moonrise. The southern fa\u00e7ade, with its perforated gable wall and impressive circular window, connects the social space with the courtyard and the barn ruins. Generous openings seamlessly merge the interior with the exterior, extending into wooden terraces, lush greenery, and the cool embrace of historic stone walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The western fa\u00e7ade, with its entry niche, shields the house from village views. A  vaulted niche in the northern gable brings light into the bedroom, bathroom, and utility spaces, echoing the curved forms of the nearby Baroque ch\u00e2teau.<\/p>\n\n\n

The penetration of sunlight into the interior can be regulated throughout the day using white shading panels. A sunlit room can quickly transform into a magical, enclosed space where light and shadow play mesmerizingly. At night, the light reverses direction, and the house, illuminated by its glowing niches, shines into the landscape. The interior is illuminated by minimalist white fixtures, complemented by Japanese washi paper lanterns and the flickering glow of a wood-burning stove.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Spiritual inspiration<\/h2>\n\n\n

Behind the house\u2019s traditional morphology lies an original interior. In contrast to the white exterior, the inside is warm and rounded. The main space surprises with a generously vaulted ceiling that rises to a height of seven meters, emphasizing its sacred inspiration. White stucco walls and large aluminum-framed windows further highlight the ethereal character of the space. Another nod to ecclesiastical architecture is the two-meter-wide circular window piercing the southern gable of the house.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The focal point of the interior is a curved wooden kitchen with an island made from Indian Shivakashi granite, reminiscent of a church altar. This is the centerpiece of all daily rituals. In the southern part of the space is a dining area with an oak table and chairs, overlooked by a 19th-century wooden carving of the Madonna. Across from this is a relaxation area featuring a long sofa offering views both of the landscape and the courtyard with its barn ruins. The sofa is framed by a tapestry made from undyed sheep’s wool.<\/p>\n\n

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In addition to the main living area, the ground floor includes a bathroom, toilet, utility room, and one of the bedrooms. Throughout the home, custom-made wooden and stone furniture designed by the architect creates a cohesive aesthetic. This includes solid wood beds and wardrobes, a black granite bench in the hallway, and matching bedside tables.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The upper floor is conceived as a separate apartment with a bedroom, bathroom, and studio space. Unlike the ground floor, which maintains an open connection to the outside world, the attic is a closed, cocoon-like space ideal for reflection, reading, and creation. Small roof windows illuminate the white, compact cavern permeated by niches and arches.<\/p>\n\n

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Art in every detail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Art plays a significant role in the family\u2019s life, whose collection spans from Czech Modernism to contemporary works. This love of art is omnipresent in their home. The bedroom features a 19th-century panneau japonais, alongside a large-format contemporary painting by Antonie Stanov\u00e1 and sculptural pieces by Michal Janiga. Stone sculptures by Vanda Hv\u00edzdalov\u00e1 are displayed on travertine pedestals in the attic.<\/p>\n\n\n

The family\u2019s curatorial approach is reflected in every detail of the house. Visitors are greeted in the entry hall by a wooden ceremonial mask from Gabon, while the main living area features an African stool carved from a single piece of wood and original ceramics by Martin Hanu\u0161. The bedrooms and attic are illuminated by sculptural Akari lamps designed by Isamu Noguchi. A large collection of art books is an integral part of the home\u2019s ambiance.<\/p>\n\n

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Total living work of art<\/h2>\n\n\n

The House Oskar, named after cosmopolitan composer Oskar Nedbal, who composed his operetta Polish Blood<\/em> at the neighboring ch\u00e2teau, is a space the owners want to share with others. This unique Gesamtkunstwerk is open to the public, whether through traditional rentals or as a venue for artist residencies, pop-up events, and workshops. The owners look forward to fostering a vibrant community of creative and inspiring individuals around the house.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Situation of the plot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ground floor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Attic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Project<\/strong>: Oskar House.\u2028
Studio<\/strong>: Jan \u017daloudek Architekt<\/a>.
Author<\/strong>: Jan \u017daloudek.
Completion<\/strong>: 2025.\u2028
Location<\/strong>: Kamenn\u00e1 Lhota, 391 33 Borot\u00edn (Rep\u00fablica Checa).\u2028
Built-up area<\/strong>: 180 m\u00b2.
Plot size<\/strong>: 8.504 m\u00b2.\u2028
Photography<\/strong>: BoysPlayNice<\/a>.
Portraits<\/strong>: Hana Kn\u00ed\u017eov\u00e1<\/a>.
Construction project<\/strong>: Projekty S+S<\/a>. Jana T\u016fmov\u00e1.
Landscape architecture<\/strong>: Atelier Rouge<\/a>. Jitka Tomsov\u00e1.
Text<\/strong>: Jan \u017daloudek Architekt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Concrete \u2013 floors, ceilings\u2028cement screed \u2013 floors\u2028Shivakashi granite \u2013 custom-designed furniture, tiling\u2028Mist Black granite \u2013 custom-designed furniture\u2028ash \u2013 custom-designed furniture\u2028MDF + oak veneer \u2013 custom-designed furniture\u2028ceramic blocks \u2013 walls\u2028ceramic tiles \u2013 bathroom surfaces\u2028fired ceramic tiles \u2013 roof\u2028Czech larch \u2013 terraces\u2028aluminium \u2013 windows<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Products and brands<\/h2>\n\n\n

Sof\u00e1 Quilton de HAY<\/a>. Silla Norr11. Oku dining table. Gear coffee table \u2014 Norr11<\/a>. K\u00fcrbis light, Athens rug, Rico armchair \u2014 Ferm Living<\/a>. Studio Line light \u2014 Bega<\/a>. Rug no. 07 \u2014 Cappelen Dimy<\/a>r. Konoha light \u2014 Marset<\/a>. Easy chair\u2014 Frama<\/a>. Akari 10A, Akari 1A light \u2014 Vitra<\/a>. Lola Red Travertine washbasin, Travertine baseboards \u2014 Talka<\/a>. Nieve bed linen \u2014 Marieli<\/a>. Windows \u2014 Sch\u00fcco<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Architect Jan \u017daloudek with his wife Jolanta Trojak, writer and art historian, and their dog. photo Hana Kn\u00ed\u017eov\u00e1.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jan \u017daloudek<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A graduate of the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, Jan \u017daloudek belongs to a new generation of Czech architects who conceive of their practice as a deeply humanistic endeavour. His education brings together academic rigour\u2014shaped in the studios of Jind\u0159ich Smetana and Jan \u0160\u00e9pka\u2014and an artistic sensitivity nurtured through international experiences, such as his time at the School of Visual Arts in New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since founding his own studio in 2020, \u017daloudek has developed residential and interior projects of various scales, always guided by a precise attention to context, materials and the life that will unfold within each space. His approach to architecture is rooted in a philosophy that privileges harmony with place, the quality of dwelling, and a subtle spiritual dimension embedded in the everyday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the building as object, his work explores an emotional relationship with the environment, aiming to awaken a profound sensory experience. This vision is enriched through ongoing collaborations with contemporary artists\u2014both in the fine and applied arts\u2014in an effort to dissolve boundaries between architecture, design and art.<\/p>\n\n\n

Casa Oskar is undoubtedly his most personal work to date, and at once a synthesis of his ideals: silent, respectful, inspiring architecture where time and beauty are free to unfold without haste.<\/p>\n\n

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Jan \u017daloudek Architekt
<\/strong>Slunn\u00e1 7,
160 00 Praga (Rep\u00fablica Checa)
zaloudek.architekt@icloud.com
janzaloudekarchitekt.cz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An architecture filled with intention, as if born from the desire to merge with its surroundings and offer a space for introspection without giving up openness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33897,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","editor_plus_copied_stylings":"{}","footnotes":"","_ppma_block_editor_authors":""},"categories":[624],"tags":[1728,964,1593],"ppma_author":[1726],"class_list":["post-33998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-architecture","tag-jan-zaloudek-en","tag-republica-checa-en","tag-residential-architecture"],"authors":[{"term_id":1726,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"jan-zaloudek","display_name":"Jan \u017daloudek","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g","author_category":"","first_name":"","last_name":"","user_url":"","job_title":"","description":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33998"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33998\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33998"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exagono.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=33998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}