Mountain House in Pernink, Czech Republic by FAM Architecti

FAM Architecti built this house in the village of Pernink in the Krusne Mountains in west Bohemia, Czech Republic. The house is located 820 metres above sea level near the German border in a valley which is defined by a wild water stream.

The client imposed a free brief right at the start of the design which evolved over a long period. The house represents a hybrid typology of a small residential retreat and a guest house with facilities for local skiing and nature hiking.

The Mountain House

• Architect – Pavel Nasadil / FAM Architekti
• Location – Pernink, Czech Republic
• Co-operation – Marek Nábělek, Hana Svobodova, Tomas Straka
• Client – private
• Construction costs – CZK 2.5 mil. inclusive of interior fittings and furniture
• Built-up area – 66 m2
• Cubic volume – 470 m3
• Main contractor – self contracted
• Project – 2006
• Construction – 2008–2010
• Key materials:
• External Walls: 490mm insulated clay block system by HELUZ
• External render: Baumit Feinputz 1.5mm
• Ceiling structure: Exposed concrete, cast on site
• Floors: Exposed polished concrete floors with integrated underfloor heating
• Staircase and podium: oak, massive, wax polish
• Windows: aluminium, produced by Kalibra.cz
• Internal doors: steel, produced by HSE Humpolec
• Photographs: Tomáš Balej

The Mountain House - Side

The form and scale of the house are largely defined by topography and the orientation towards views of landscape and towards sunlight. The prevailing western winds are tackled with a narrow gable end to minimise their impact.

The Mountain House - inside

A small budget and harsh local climate have determined a simple method of construction which has been buildable in two short building seasons. The external walls are made of 500mm thick superinsulated prefabricated clay blocks, which are also used for the main loadbearing wall. A sense of a cave like protection against climate is supported by the journey from entrance lobby to the upper living space which winds itself twice through this thick internal wall. The floor to ceiling height differs in hierarchy with the staircase zone being of minimal height and the living space being increased to 3m, which strengthens the effect of the landscape entering the building interior through large glazed openings.

The Mountain House - inside

The materials used are of high constructional standard and are left in their natural appearance without further treatment – hand applied stucco renderings, masive wood, exposed concrete ceilings and floors and aluminium windows. The heating is built within the floors and powered by gass, with additional option of wood burning stove in the living space. The client was in charge of organizing the construction herself with the final costs added to a complete sum of 100.000 EUR inclusive of the plot and internal fittings and furniture.

The Mountain House Kitchen

The Mountain House Stairs

The Mountain House Model

Plans

Sections

Elevations

Tags: Czech Republic, Pernink

Category: House

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