Boleslavova 3 by Plus One Architects

Plus One Architects studio gives a historic courtyard gallery building in Prague’s Nusle district a new lease on life with a sensitive yet bold transformation.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS BoysPlayNice

Nestled in the Nusle district of Prague, Plus One Architects‘ redevelopment project breathes new life into the 19th-century Boleslavova 3 gallery building. The architecture firm aimed to preserve the historical essence of the structure while enhancing its common spaces, and modernising apartments with layouts tailored to contemporary living needs.

The redesigned floor plan led to the development of 15 unique residential units, each offering views of the Nusle Valley and the courtyard. The galleries, which previously functioned as common open-air walkways providing entrances to the units, now serve as private balconies. The distinctive character of the courtyard is highlighted by the arched ceiling of the new balconies, enhanced by ceramic tiles in a chess pattern and the subtle metalwork of the railings. Accessible to all residents, the courtyard is complemented by well-maintained front gardens belonging to the ground-floor apartments.

The architects wanted to highlight the common spaces, which historically held a representative role in urban residential buildings. They chose to preserve the original layout and, to some extent, the material design. The stucco walls of the hallways, rendered in powdery shades of grey and pink, draw inspiration from period murals—their irregular patterns subtly reference decorative elements of local historical buildings. Complementing these tones are the dark-toned panelled entrance doors to individual apartments and mailboxes made from a mottled brown veneer. The hallway floors combine cast flooring with areas of small-format tiles, thoughtfully arranged in front of apartment entrances.

The centrepiece of the shared spaces is the original curvilinear staircase. The rough texture of the steps creates a distinctive contrast to the vividly coloured walls of the corridors and the apartment entrance doors. The spiral form of the staircase is highlighted by subtle linear lighting, developed in collaboration with the designers and engineers from the Penocze studio, that winds through all the floors.

Each apartment unit features a unique floor plan. “The apartments on the first and second floors were redesigned to better suit contemporary living – with more spacious bathrooms, improved layouts, and some even having balconies. The reinforcement of the ceilings with concrete slabs not only enhanced the structural stability of the floors but also added an attractive visual element in the form of exposed concrete ceilings. Between the first and second floors lies the only maisonette in the house, featuring an entrance accessible directly from the street. The most extensive modifications were made in the attic, where the former loft space was divided into four units of varying sizes. One of the key challenges was avoiding suspended ceilings while maximising the placement of skylights, even in spaces like bathrooms. Rounded lightwells above the bathroom doors bring daylight into the entry corridors. Natural lighting was a priority in the attic and was successfully integrated into rooms across other floors as well,” explains architect Kateřina Průchová, describing the layout solutions.

The new layout of each apartment provides an ideal framework for accommodating the individual needs of future residents. All units adhere to a unified standard featuring flooring with integrated electric heating and modern bathrooms that blend earthy and white tones. These bathrooms are enhanced by heated towel rails and sanitary fixtures from brands such as Grohe and Laufen.

In the ground-floor apartments, original structural elements like barrel vaults and niches have been preserved, which enhances the historical character of the residential building while adding both visual and functional value. A show apartment on the ground floor showcases a stainless steel kitchen adorned with red-pink glazed tiles by the Dutch brand Palet and practical profiled shutters that ensure privacy and cooling during hot summer days. The only maisonette in the building is distinguished by its monolithic concrete staircase. Additionally, the top floor is fitted with air conditioning units to maintain a comfortable indoor climate. | p1a.cz

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