BETWEEN THE BOWS

Architect Daniela Hradilová

Photographer Romana Bennet Petr Polak Studio

At the foot of the second highest mountain in the Beskydy Mountains, below Kněhyně, architect Daniela Hradilová brought to life a traditional half-timbered house whose origins date back to 1880. With respect and regard for the original materials offered by the surrounding nature, with the help of the skilled hands of experienced craftsmen, including carpenters, who the architect met while repairing Jurkovič's Libušín in the nearby Pustevny Mountains, and thanks to the endless and fragrant surrounding fields and dreamy views of the countryside, a house was created as a perfect escape from civilization... or a return to one's roots.

When an architect constructs or reconstructs a building for himself, the result usually stands out from the crowd. Without the need to compromise or adapt the architect's plan to the client, the result is an exceptional design and a coherent concept in which everything fits together like a perfect mosaic and the final building bears the legible signature of its creator. This is another reason why the reconstruction of a traditional half-timbered house from the late 19th century and its transformation into a leisure facility was awarded an honorable mention by the jury of the Grand Prix Architects 2022 - National Prize for Architecture.

The dominant element of the glass passageway is the MOON light by Davide Groppi, which lives up to its name, resembling a floating full moon in the glass passageway. The rest of the interior furnishings also feature the brands of renowned manufacturers: the bathroom features ceramics by Villeroy & Boch and tiles by Mutina, while the kitchen features furniture by Reform Copenhagen or Todus. All fittings are controlled by black rotary switches from the Berker 1930 series made of genuine Rosenthal porcelain. To emphasize the historic character of the building, wall switches with installation boxes and visible cable routing were used in this implementation. Their robustness and the visible power cable are precisely what attract the attention they deserve in the interior. They look extremely authentic against both stone walls and light and dark wood. "The switches and sockets of the Berker 1930 series refer not only to their name, but above all to their appearance, to their time of origin, the 1930s," explains Thomas Grund, CEO of Hager in the Czech Republic, whose portfolio also includes Berker home switches. "These switches look almost exactly like the first rotary switches we still see in our grandparents' old houses," Thomas Grund grins, adding: "The switches, sockets, and other electrical installation elements of the Berker 1930 series combine a retro look with precise modern technology and uncompromising safety. This means we can easily use them on wood paneling, as they are separated from it by a special, non-flammable mat. The use of our switches in this renovation, which is openly committed to sustainability, the use of natural materials, and comprehensive environmental protection, also fits perfectly with Hager's philosophy and environmental policy. I'm pleased that the architect and I agree on this."