Medník House by Päivä Architekti Revitalizes a Historic Czech Home
Päivä Architekti has expanded a century-old house perched on a rocky slope above the Sázava River in the Czech Republic, creating a bright steel and timber studio. The new addition is located where the forest meets the garden, shaped by the wedge-shaped terrain and surrounded by mature trees.
From the garden, the renovated house aligns with wide views toward the valley and the summit of Medník Hill, preserving the openness that defines the site’s character. The extension is a freestanding studio connected to the original building by a covered terrace.
- The terrace wraps around an existing oak tree, keeping it as a central element in the design.
- A covered walkway leads to the garden, easing the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces and encouraging daily movement to extend outside.
Studio Interior Design
Inside, the studio presents a double-height open space filled with natural light from sliding glass walls that face the valley. A small gallery hangs within, providing a quiet retreat above the workspace.
Architectural Approach
The building’s simple, balanced geometry echoes the shape of the original house but is interpreted with a modern aesthetic. The structural design emphasizes both skilled craftsmanship and functional practicality.
"The restrained geometry of the new building mirrors the morphology of the original house, though expressed by the architects through a more contemporary lens."
Author’s summary: Päivä Architekti’s Medník House thoughtfully expands a rural Czech home, blending tradition and modernity while preserving natural surroundings and enhancing indoor-outdoor flow.