lenka míková integrates vernacular architecture in czech country home

lenka míková has completed ‘two houses, deers, and trees’, the renovation of a countryside house in south bohemia in the czech republic. the design strategy involved preserving the authentic and traditional environment of the estate, while integrating new levels of comfort and refined interiors. the resulting project reveals a well-designed balance between the vernacular and the new.

all images by jakub skokan, martin tůma / boysplaynice

lenka míková incorporated the original building logic and construction techniques within the renovation. ‘our aim was to attain a natural feel instead of a perfect formal imitation‘, explains the architect. ‘natural and handcrafted materials like wood, stone and soil bring in an innate imperfection that becomes the main aspect of the project, considered since the beginning of the design process.’

lenka mikova incorporated the original building logic and construction techniques

the original homestead consisted of two houses: a log cottage and a stone barn which are joined to form an L shape. the log cottage contains living quarters for the owners, while the stone barn serves as a summer guest house. each house has a distinct character which informed the design interventions employed. the original stone wall of the guesthouse were complemented by a new concrete wall that hides a staircase and sauna.

the original homestead consisted of two houses: a log cottage and a stone barn

inner surfaces are united with white paint in order to emphasize the original wooden roof frame. the main living space extends to the terraces by folding glass doors and also opens up towards old trees by a large fixed glass. the new heart of the space is the open fireplace created of a massive stone from a nearby slope.

the vernacular architecture is highlighted in the renovation

each house has a distinct character which informed the design interventions employed 

the new heart of the space is the open fireplace created of a massive stone from a nearby slope

the main living space extends to the terraces via folding glass doors

‘natural and handcrafted materials like wood, stone and soil bring in an innate imperfection’ says the design team

a variety in the wood selection creates a range in the color palette

the design remains honest to the original construction methods and reveals it openly 

white paint was used to brighten the spaces

intimate living quarters complement the open terraces below

‘our aim was to attain a natural feel instead of a perfect formal imitation’ note the architects

while the exterior is largely preserved as original, the interior contains modern finishes

the log cottage contains living quarters for the owners, while the stone barn serves as a summer guest house

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name: two houses, deers and trees
description: reconstruction of a countryside homestead in south bohemia
project year: 2013-2016
realization year: 2015-2017
principal architect: lenka míková
collaborators: ivan boroš
year completed: 2017
building levels: 2
project size: 365 square meters