A Minimalist Art-filled Home in the Czech Countryside

House Oskar situated in the garden of an old neighbouring château was designed to be an art-infused architectural sanctuary that embraces its historic surroundings.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS BoysPlayNice; Hana Knížová (Portraits)

Kamenná Lhot, a small picturesque village in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, is known for its serene landscape and its deep connection to history and rural tradition. It is within this setting that House Oskar stands – not as a disruption, but as a thoughtful continuation of the village’s legacy.

Architect Jan Žaloudek and his wife, art historian and writer Jolanta Trojak, long dreamed of creating a home with a deep connection to the landscape. They envisioned House Oskar as a space that not only invites rest but also serves as a wellspring of creativity and inspiration – qualities integral to their everyday lives.

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 château and exuded a timeless character. Inspired by the idea of a chapel, the resulting architecture is a harmonious blend of contrasts: new and old, interior and exterior, perfection and imperfection.

The design respects the traditional elongated form of houses with gabled roofs, drawing on the vocabulary of the local agricultural buildings. Perforated masonry, with openings for light and air found in nearby historical structures, serves as the building’s defining feature. This detail acts as a sunshade for the southern gable wall and inspires the pattern of wooden shading panels on the other façades. The compact form of the house is permeated by niches, which allow flexible shading. As a result, the house can fully open to the landscape, connecting its residents to the world.

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, the family can observe the sunrise and sunset. The southern façade, with its perforated gable wall and impressive circular window, connects the social space with the courtyard and the barn ruins, while the western façade shields the interior 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 château.

The minimalist interior is characterised by its neutral palette, white fixtures, and textural finishes. The focal point of the interior is a curved wooden kitchen with an island made from Indian Shivakashi granite, reminiscent of a church altar. Across from this lies the lounge, which features a long sofa offering views of the landscape and the courtyard with its barn ruins.

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. | janzaloudekarchitekt.cz

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