The Czechs are at the top in the reconstruction of family houses, say the authors of the book 66 HOUSES 4 / Reconstruction

The authors of the book are university teachers from the Faculty of Architecture of the CTU in Prague Ján Stempel, Jan Jakub Tesař and journalist and writer Petr Volf. The book, the first of its kind, covers revitalizations, conversions, extensions and additions by Czech architects. Each example can serve as inspiration for future architects, but also as proof that working with the legacy of the past can be extremely fruitful.

"Every old house is a challenge for the architect and designer. It's as if the fact that they are not starting from scratch – they are developing what is already there – gives them the strength and courage to be as creative and consistent as possible," explains Petr Volf. The old meets the new, what seemed beyond repair is saved. The book 66 HOUSES 4 / Reconstruction presents top works that can withstand the highest evaluation even from an international point of view. "Reconstructions are the area in which Czech architecture achieves European quality," Petr Volf is convinced.

The range of published buildings is extremely wide, the oldest dating from the eighteenth century, the youngest were built at the end of the twentieth century. Townhouses and functionalist villas, terraced houses, rural barns, industrial buildings, warehouses, factories, mills, country cottages, farmhouses, log cabins. Some modifications are visible at first sight, others blend in with the original appearance.

The number 66 is not a typo. The reduction of the selection has created space for the presentation of individual buildings. For each house there is a short annotation, photos of the state before and after reconstruction. Floor plans and sections are at a convenient scale of 1 : 333 for all projects, which facilitates comparison and analysis.

As creative, beautiful and stimulating as working with the legacy of the past is, it is above all extremely demanding and not everyone is suited for it. In reconstructions, the architect must set aside their ego and instead engage sensitivity and empathy to a greater degree, because without them, it is impossible to have a meaningful dialogue with the predecessors who designed the original building. It is a good idea to reflect for a while before reaching for a decisive, long-lasting and irreversible solution and not to rely on first impressions.

The better the quality of construction and the more often good materials are used, the more the design is free from short-term fashion trends, the more likely it is that the house will age well and that extending its life will be a joyful endeavour.

66 HOUSES 4 / Reconstruction once again provides a valuable source of inspiration for architects, builders and architecture lovers. The book is now available in all bookstores and online stores.

66 HOUSES 4 / Reconstruction

Authors: Ján Stempel, Jan Jakub Tesař, Petr Volf
Text Editing: Matěj Beránek
English Translation: Stephan von Pohl
Pre-print Preparation: Karel Kerlický
Graphic Layout: Alena Hyblerová (Formelita)
Publishing House: Karel Kerlický Kant, Praha 2023
Number of Pages: 432
ISBN: 978-80-7437-410-4