FAMILY HOUSE WITH A SCULPTOR’S STUDIO
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AUTHOR’S STATEMENT
BRIEF AND CONTEXT:
The task was to design a family house (182 m² + 40 m² terrace + 300 m² garden) with an integrated sculptor’s studio (84 m²) in Prague. The original house was one of the first buildings in this area; however, due to poor structural condition, it could not be preserved. The main challenge was to connect the historical legacy of the site with new construction. For this reason, the street-facing façade with its plaster stucco detailing was carefully replicated, while the rear part of the house with the studio was newly designed to respect both the character of the original building and the contemporary needs of the clients.
The house is conceived to gradually “disappear” into the garden, creating a calm and secluded oasis protected from its surroundings.
CONCEPT
The main idea of the project is the connection between interior and exterior spaces. This is most evident in the main living area, where large-format glazing and an HS sliding door allow a complete visual and physical connection between the interior, the terrace, and the garden. Equally important for the clients was the connection between the old and the new – emphasis was placed on preserving elements of the original house, such as traditional casement windows, the ornamental façade, and a stone pathway made of Prague mosaic paving, which runs along the house and naturally integrates it into its surroundings.
The house is designed for an older married couple who plan to spend the next stage of their lives here together with their two dachshunds. It also needs to accommodate visits from extended family and adult children; therefore, it was essential for the house to remain as open and functional as possible. The client is engaged in the arts, which was reflected in the interior design – neutral materials create a harmonious
backdrop for art collections and antique elements that will gradually shape the character of the home.
The ground floor layout is designed to fluidly connect individual functional zones. An entrance hall with built-in wardrobes and a niche with a bench leads into the central part of the house. A corridor with a spiral staircase and a small display cabinet connects to the main living space with kitchen, dining area, and living room, where a fireplace naturally separates the dining nook with a built-in bench from the library and seating area.
The ground floor also includes a bedroom with an en-suite, barrier-free bathroom and a separate WC, ensuring comfortable and long-term sustainable living. On the upper floor, there is an additional bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe, a second bathroom with a bathtub and shower, a study, and a large guest room.
An important part of the project is the outdoor terrace, which extends the living space during the summer months. It is designed flush with the interior floor level and finished in garapa wood for durability and longevity.
The house was designed with a strong emphasis on sustainability. It incorporates modern technologies such as solar panels, a heat pump, external blinds for thermal regulation, triple glazing, and façade insulation. The system also includes mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and a rainwater retention tank used for garden irrigation.
SCULPTOR’S STUDIO:
The house is seamlessly connected to a sculptor’s studio where the owner – a sculptor and artist – works. The space was designed as a flexible working environment that can adapt to
current needs while providing ample concealed storage for tools and materials. Thanks to the 4 m ceiling height, a walkable mezzanine made of steel grating was inserted along the entire rear wall of the main studio space, supported by a cantilevered steel structure. This allows access to storage cabinets with sliding doors. Beneath the structure, there are lower cabinets and mobile worktables on wheels that can be easily moved and combined as needed.
The left part of the studio features a lifting pulley for handling heavy models and a rotating platform for sculpting. The right side is equipped with a utility sink with a handheld spray and a drainage channel for washing plaster moulds. The interior follows a minimalist material palette – white steel structures and storage units are complemented by a light grey Cemflow floor. The daylight room includes a built-in kitchenette and a relaxation area with a leather sofa. The studio also contains a small bathroom with a shower and WC, a storage room, and a garage with the possibility of charging an electric vehicle.
PROJECT BACKGROUND:
The project has a personal history. The original conceptual design was developed during my architecture studies as a semester project on the theme The Czech House at the Faculty of Art and Architecture in Liberec, in the studio of Zdeněk Fránek. Based on this concept, the building permit documentation (DSP) was prepared by Studio MOA. Subsequently, at the client’s request, I took over the project again, further developed it, and completed it in accordance with the original concept. The garden design was prepared by Studio Flera.
Year of Completion: July 2024
Author: Anna Nižňanská
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Collaboration – Building Permit Documentation (DSP):
Peter Uradnik, Andrej Kozánek (Studio Moa)
Landscape Architects: Ateliér Flera, Lenka Dřevjana, Ferdinand Leffler
Concept Design – 3D, Visualisations: Anna Nižňanská
Collaboration – 3D, Renderings: Anna Podroužková
Photographer: Václav Novák, https://www.vaclavnovak.com/ @vaclavnovakcom
Project Phase: project
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Winner – Interior of the Year 2025, Category: Public Vote / TON Award
https://www.interierroku.cz/cs/interier/1998/
Photographs may not be presented or further distributed without my consent.