Raumplan, as a concept of spatial planning that clearly defines the organization of space, forms the central idea of the design. This principle is rooted in typological approaches within architectural theory, relating to the significance of both space and structure.

The spatial grid is applied according to the functional needs of each floor, creating local horizontal and vertical connections between spaces. At the entrance, the grid extends outward from the main central hall, emphasizing the primary entry space and defining the character of the ground floor of the entire “TROJHALÍ” complex.

The spatial organization draws on the ideas of Hungarian architect Yona Friedman and his Spatial City concept in relation to modular architecture. Other architects exploring modularity within spatial grids include Piet Blom and Sou Fujimoto (Serpentine Pavilion, 2013, London). American artist Sol LeWitt also worked with spatial grids in his conceptual and minimalist works (Between the Lines, Milano; works Sculpture Garden, 13/11, 12x23x12, and Horizontal Progression).

Author: Michal Rouha, Lucia Horkava
Cooperation: Anna Hermannova, Nhung Hong, Lucia Kanderova, Filip Kocourek, Tereza Stambolijska
Cooperation - interior: Hana Svehlova, Marie Delongova, Magdalena Preckova
Landscape architect: Radka Matouskova
Visuals: Adam Preisler, Michal Slusar SDAR
Location: Myto, CZ, the current headquarters of the company

During the course of the building permit process, the project underwent several changes, most notably affecting the glazing in the gray skylights. From the original concept of exposed minimalist glazing, we ultimately arrived—after intensive discussions with heritage authorities—at a solution where the skylight windows are covered with vertical shading boards made of oak. These boards are fixed with tenons to the upper wooden lintel and to the solid oak parapet. See for yourself how they appear in the façade details.

The roof covering will consist of double-lapped larch boards. In the courtyard, we designed large sliding doors measuring 5.9 × 2.55 m, fully glazed into steel profiles. When opened, these doors allow the courtyard space to be seamlessly integrated with the studio interior, and vice versa.

Authors : Michal Rouha, Martin Chlanda, Jana Fischerova
Visuals : Dušan Marcinko - vizualizace

Location : Netolice, CZ
Project : 2015

Author: Michal Rouha
Collaboration: Hana Švelhová, Marie Delongová, Magdaléna Vejdělková
Location: Pořesice, Vysoký Chlumec

Authors: Michal Rouha, Magdalena Vejdelkova, Hana Svehlova, Marie Delongova
Location: Mlyny, Bystrice, CZ

The house comprises four habitable levels. Each floor, including the fourth and topmost, has its own entrance. On the first floor, we propose maintaining the wine cellar, connected to a small front garden created by shifting the façade away from the street. This front garden can be used for parking or as a small sheltered space for a table and chairs. On the second floor, the main entrance is also on the front — up the main staircase to a balcony, from which one enters inside. The second floor accommodates the main bedroom with an en‑suite bathroom, storage, and an internal staircase connecting all the upper floors. The third floor, which can also be accessed from a northern entrance, includes two bedrooms and a bathroom, with the main corridor behind the living spaces offering additional storage potential. The shared living room and large kitchen are located on the highest, fourth floor. The layout is organized so that the house can potentially be divided into two separate residential units in the future.

We chose to respect the existing structure of the building and avoid excessive changes. In the cellar, old stone vaults remain, visibly connected to the neighboring houses. On the second and third floors, we preserve the existing structure while adding a new staircase core in the background. The fourth floor is designed as an additional new layer in the structure, with three platform areas in the layout. Here, we introduce supporting columns that carry the newly elevated roof structure. The roof itself is raised by 80 cm to enlarge both clear height and usable space in the primary living area.

Author: Michal Rouha
Cooperation: Marie Delongova, The Hong Nhung, Lucia Kanderova
Cooperation, Italy: Roy Emiliano Nash – P.U.R.A
Local expert consultant: Loris Bottamedi
Location: Andalo, Italy

The concept of the house is based on a simple roof slab supported by wall blocks. These walls extend beyond the interior volume, naturally blurring the boundary between the interior and exterior. This fundamental idea is further enhanced by large-format windows and interior and exterior doors extending from floor to ceiling.

The layout is highly generous in scale. In addition to a double-height space with a gallery and a living area featuring a large library, the house offers a private wing with a walk-in wardrobe, bedroom, and bathroom for the parents, rooms for children and guests, a small fitness area with sanitary facilities, a spacious two-car garage, and a large workshop.

The individual spaces are functionally and visually divided by straight walls running through the house, distinguished by different materials.

The exterior materiality of the load-bearing walls combines horizontal wooden cladding with large-format fibre cement façade panels in a natural tone.

The roof slab is designed as a clean white horizontal plane with overhangs and skylights that bring daylight into the central parts of the layout.

The dominant interior material is an exposed concrete floor, openly expressing its imperfect yet authentic character. It is complemented by built-in and freestanding oak elements and cabinetry, decorative plaster finishes, and fine white heraklith panels in the ceiling plane.

Photo moments ...

Author: Michal Rouha
Landscape design: trevisan atelier +
Cooperation: Petra Zajickova, Filip Kocourek, Jaroslav Dedic
Movie: Vinticone s.r.o.
Fotographs: Zuzana Vesela, Michal Rouha
Location: Holoubkov (CZ)

The initial idea was to take advantage of the slope descending from the existing cottage and use it to our benefit—making the scale of the building appear more modest from the road, while more generous when viewed from the pond. By articulating the interior space in the form of a raumplan, three different floor levels were created: the entrance level, a lower living area with a room and bathroom, and an upper night zone with a bedroom and an additional room.

Through this principle, the house gains the advantage of the terrain functionally and smoothly connecting in height to the interior spaces of the cottage—both at the entrance and at the western terrace overlooking the pond. The internal raumplan, with a central vertical circulation core, creates imaginary lookout niches or small tower-like forms on the upper floor, each oriented in a different direction—east and west. This results in a play between two opposing roof planes.

The entire house is clad in overlapping charred timber boards. On the southern and northern façades, the boards follow the plane of the roof, reinforcing the fundamental concept of the building’s massing.

The site is located by Mlýnský Pond in the village of Mšec near Rakovník. The site slopes from east to west down toward the pond’s shoreline. Currently, there is a recreational building with a pitched roof on the property. The elevation difference across the site, from east to west, is just under seven meters.

The site is accessed from the east via a private road, and it is surrounded by mature greenery on the southern and northern sides. In the lower part near the pond, there is a fire pit and a pier.

Author: Michal Rouha
Collaboration: Marie Delongová, Hana Švehlová, Magdaléna Vejdělková
Location: Mšec, Rakovník District

In our design, we strive to make the stay for clients as memorable and enjoyable as possible. We consider both child patients and their parents as clients. The experience within the facility should be one that everyone enjoys, remembers fondly, and looks forward to returning to. For parents, this primarily means having space to rest and recharge. Their time on the site should be as pleasant and restorative as a visit to a spa.

Caring for children with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses, which prematurely end their lives, is an extremely complex and sensitive matter. It involves not only the care of the children themselves but also support for their immediate families — parents, siblings, grandparents, and other close relatives or friends. Available reports and professional articles summarize the basic needs of these children, their families, and their caregivers.

While these sources help to understand the process of providing palliative care, they do not go into the practical details related to the design of a specific palliative facility. We felt it was important to understand the care and atmosphere surrounding it, taking into account the needs, preferences, and most importantly, the experiences of families and caregivers.

Within a short timeframe, we conducted several semi-structured interviews with parents of children with various rare illnesses that ultimately led to the child’s passing, as well as with providers of palliative support services. In the following paragraphs, we summarize the key findings from this research, which informed and inspired our design of the palliative care center.

For families whose child is born with, or later develops, a life-threatening illness, life is turned upside down. One parent typically provides nearly full-time care for the child, leaving little time for siblings, strain on the parental relationship, and severely limited or nonexistent leisure activities. Stress, exhaustion, chronic sleep deprivation, and fear of the future are daily realities for these families. Respite care is therefore an extremely valuable service.

A stay at such a center should feel like a spa experience for the family: a chance to step away from daily caregiving, relax, not worry about cooking, enjoy a massage or exercise, clear their minds, meditate, walk in nature, spend more time with siblings and the partner, while still remaining close to the ill child. These activities are essential for families to regain the strength needed for the physically and, above all, emotionally demanding care that lies ahead.

Vcítit se do návštěvníků - Centrum jako "LÁZNĚ" paliativního centra, výsledky provedeného uživatelského průzkumu

Team: ORA + momentura + Rehwaldt Landscape Architects
Authors: Ing. arch. Jan Hora, Ing. arch. Jan Veisser, Ing. arch. Michal Rouha, Dipl.-Ing. Till Rehwaldt, Ing. Radka Matouskova, Ing. arch. Maros Drobnak, Ing. arch. Klara Mackova, Ing.arch. Marie Delongova, Ing.arch. Hana Svehlova, Ing. Eliska Olsanska, Ing. Eliska Cerna, Ing. Hata Enochova
User research: PDEng. Dominika Potuzakova
Location: CZ, Prague, Cibulka

We step outside and walk along the wooden deck to take a seat at the table. Looking around, we realize that we are standing at the very heart of the entire plot.

The house embraces us from two sides, while the remaining edges are defined by taller greenery and a garden pavilion with a summer kitchen. Its character complements the house, forming a balanced counterpoint on the opposite side of the site.

Sunlight reflects off the water’s surface, and the air feels fresh. The owners approach carrying a tray with coffee. It is excellent — all the way from Colombia.

Author: Michal Rouha
Landscape design: Jitka Trevisan
Visuals: Pavel Vinter
Location: Zdiměřice u Prahy
Study 2016
Project 2022

The house is designed in the Červený kopec area, located on the north-western edge of Trutnov, approximately 1.3 km in a straight line from the city’s historic centre. A clear advantage of this developing residential district lies in its position and orientation: the site occupies a south-facing slope with direct views towards the old town and the distant horizon of the open Podkrkonoší landscape.

The building plot, with a total area of 1,007 m², is situated at the edge of the planned development zone, roughly midway up the hillside, in close proximity to a forest. The parcel has the shape of a parallelogram measuring approximately 50 × 20 metres and lies on a steep southern slope with a longitudinal height difference of up to 8 metres.

Along its northern boundary, at the highest point of the site, the plot connects directly to the access road and the technical infrastructure. To the west, it borders an already developed parcel, while to the east it adjoins another plot designated for future construction. A pedestrian passage is planned along the southern edge, providing a free connection between neighbouring building lots.

The site offers spectacular views towards the historic city centre in a south-eastern direction. The southern and western sides are further enhanced by the immediate presence of the forest. Combined with its near-terminal position within a quiet cul-de-sac with only minimal daily traffic, the plot represents an excellent choice within this locality.

The project consists of a simple two-storey house with a gabled roof pitched at 40°, oriented perpendicular to the axis of the adjacent access road. The building is positioned in the upper part of a steep south-facing slope, set back approximately 5 metres from the plot boundary.

The entrance level is connected to the terrain by a lightweight steel platform, which also forms a carport structure with space for an additional parking bay. Integrated into this construction is a concealed area for two waste bins, located “in shadow” behind the existing utility connection pillar. The entrance frame structure is conceived entirely in galvanized steel, with an open grating floor, founded on concrete pads.

From the main entrance door, a central connecting corridor extends through the floor plan. The layout of this level is organized according to a nine-field grid (3×3), establishing the primary spatial order of the house. The main circulation axis runs through the centre, with individual rooms attached sequentially along its length.

The peripheral fields along the northern façade are the smallest and accommodate the technical facilities, including a utility room, workshop, and vestibule. The central fields adjacent to the corridor contain a generous staircase and, opposite it, a bathroom. The largest peripheral fields along the southern façade offer direct views into the garden and therefore house two children’s bedrooms positioned on either side of the plan.

The conical geometry of the floor plan combined with the gabled roof influences the height of the roof base: it reaches its maximum along the northern façade and its minimum along the southern façade. This condition is exploited in the attic zone, which is most suitable on the northern side above the utility spaces. Here, a storage loft is proposed, accessible via retractable attic stairs from the workshop.

In contrast, the children’s rooms on the southern façade provide sufficient headroom for inserted mezzanine levels. The final bay of the corridor is terminated by a large south-facing window, bringing daylight deep into the interior. The ceiling height in this section reaches nearly five metres, suggesting additional potential uses, such as a suspended rope net accessible from the mezzanines in the children’s rooms.

The lower terrain level follows the same spatial division as the entrance floor and is partially embedded into the ground on the northern side. Its core is an open-plan living area connected to the kitchen, oriented longitudinally north–south, occupying more than half of the floor area.

The kitchen is located along the northern façade, while the living zone faces south. At the centre, a dining table for six to eight people is positioned adjacent to a large window in the western façade, providing direct access to the garden. Additional rooms include a bedroom in the south-eastern corner and a bathroom with toilet in the opposite north-eastern corner. The space beneath the staircase may serve as a pantry, wardrobe, or other storage facility.

Authors: Martin Chlanda, Michal Rouha, Jana Fischerova
Cooperation: Lucie Rachel Drevikovska, Vlastimil Pesl
Location: Trutnov, CZ
Visuals: Dusan Marcinko

After an initial meeting and preliminary analysis, we developed client‑driven outputs in the form of a sensory mind map, a typical day scenario, and annotated reflections on past living spaces. We then verified the existing floor plan and created a digital model of the current state.

These initial steps led to the concept of the flat with niches. This approach reflects the need for individuals to always have their own place within the space — niches appearing throughout the apartment create points of emphasis and material contrast: here something happens, here I do this or that. We approached the design non‑invasively, respecting all load‑bearing walls while modifying only non‑bearing partitions.

The layout responds to the context of the location, views of the surrounding landscape, and the position of the balcony. The northern part, with entrance hall, toilet, and bathroom, flows into the children’s room, positioned in the eastern corner with the calmest orientation and garden views. From the hall, one moves into the kitchen situated centrally in the plan. Adjacent to it is the master bedroom with a private walk‑in closet on the eastern façade, also overlooking the quiet garden. To the south, the living room connects smoothly through an existing opening in the wall and is oriented toward the street. A workspace/additional room is attached to the living area and can be opened or fully enclosed with folding doors. Its position in the southern corner was chosen to allow easy access to the balcony and use during social occasions.

Photo Moments ...

Author: Michal Rouha
Cooperation: Lucia Kanderova, The Thi Hong Nhung, Kristyna Rajdlova, Anna Hermannova
Location: Praha

Construction: Bohemia Decor Group s.r.o
Furniture: Truhlastvi Skaloudy

We joined the interior design process at a point when the main structural work on the house renovation was already in progress. Our role was to fine-tune the project by suggesting small construction changes and defining the final look of the bathroom. The key goal was to use the space as smartly as possible—so it feels comfortable and easy to move around in, while also offering plenty of practical storage for everyday living.

The material palette of the apartment is based on simplicity and restraint. An oak floor laid in a modern herringbone pattern sets the foundation, complemented by oak veneer on the lower parts of the built-in cabinetry and clean white finishes above. Subtle color accents are then layered in through the kitchen worktop, selected furnishings, and lighting details, adding character without overwhelming the space.”

One of the apartment’s most distinctive details is the presence of softly rounded corners in the built-in furniture. This subtle design gesture adds warmth and authenticity, softening the overall look and making the interior feel naturally inviting.

Photo moments ...

Author: Michal Rouha
Cooperation: Filip Kocourek
Location: Benesov, CZ

The overall renovation concept focused on reconfiguring the layout and making full use of the apartment’s ceiling height, which exceeded 4.1 m. By adding new wooden mezzanine levels, additional usable living space was created. The redesign of the bathroom and kitchen resulted in a more logical and comfortable layout, enhanced by built-in seating with integrated storage.

Author: Michal Rouha
Cooperation: Hana Svehlova, Marie Delongova
Location: Praha, Palmovka
Photography: Michal Rouha, Zuzana Hubena

Construction: KB Investment s.r.o.
Furniture: Kauri - Pavel Mikes
Lightning: Triplechrome s.r.o.

The design highlights the articulation of the House of Culture’s façade, creating rhythmic linear elements within the square. A minimalist water feature references the history of the electricity canal, giving it a new modern identity and function. One of the key principles applied here is the transition from large, undefined spaces to smaller, human-scaled areas.

The entire space is complemented by new architecture that reflects existing buildings, shapes the urban environment, and provides the missing social infrastructure for the square. The proposal includes spaces for cafés, a market, a skate rental, play elements for all ages, relaxation zones, and public areas designed for multifunctional use.

The plot is located within the Český kras Protected Landscape Area, on sloping terrain with a height difference of nearly 30 meters. The surrounding landscape—forests, the river, and the horizon marked by the castle—guided the design. We worked within strict landscape protection regulations, which rule out any exaggeration and insist on the traditional scale of rural buildings. The goal was to insert a modern house into the landscape so that it becomes part of it, rather than disrupting it.

Our goal was to merge the clients’ vision of a light-filled, airy weekend retreat with the Protected Landscape Area’s respect for traditional architecture. The result is a house that inhabits the landscape with quiet confidence—a home for family, friends, and moments of stillness. A house that, like the hills around Karlštejn, deepens and matures beautifully over time.

Architects: Michal Rouha, Marie Delongová, Barbora Jurášová
Collaboration: Garden&Craft
Location: Krupná, Střední Čechy

Materially, the house is grounded in wood, plaster, and stone. The color palette is muted and natural, with subtle blue accents referring to local tradition. The layout is designed as a fully functional living space, anchored by an open living area with a kitchen, complemented by two separate bedrooms. A raised ceiling brings light and spaciousness, while carefully designed storage keeps the interior clean and calm. Views are directed toward the garden and vineyard.

The result is a house that fits into the village’s structure, honors its history, and lives in the present. The space offers tranquility, privacy, and connection to the garden. At the client’s request, the house is also prepared for permanent living and the front portion, closer to the street, can be rented if needed.

Architects: Michal Rouha, Marie Delongová, Barbora Jurášová
Location: Dolní Bojanovice, South Moravia

The placement of the house was guided primarily by respect for the street lines. In this area, the development becomes more dispersed, and when looking into the valley, multiple edges defining the street are visible. This principle is also reflected in the shape of the house – the upper floor is slightly rotated in relation to the ground floor. By positioning the house close to the edge of the plot, a larger private garden is created. The stepped massing provides a covered entrance on the street side and a terrace area in the garden. Otherwise, the house does not draw attention to itself in terms of form or materials. The traditional gabled roof is covered with standing seam metal, while the ground floor and upper floor differ both functionally and materially.

Author: Michal Rouha
Cooperation: Lucia Kanderova, The Hong Nhung
Visuals: Pavel Vinter, ZAN Studio
Location: Pec pod Snezkou, CZ

Authors: Michal Rouha, Marie Delongova, Hana Svehlová
Location: Jindrichuv Hradec, CZ

Author: Michal Rouha
Cooperation: Lucia Kanderova, Hana Svehlova, Nhung Hong, Marie Delongova
Location: Rtyne v Podkrkonosi, CZ

The house is designed in the Nové Skorotice area, located on the northwestern edge of Ústí nad Labem, approximately 4 km as the crow flies from the historic city center. A key quality of this location is the view of the foothills of the Ore Mountains and the Central Bohemian Uplands.

The plot, just under 1,200 m², is part of a newly developing area mostly filled with large residential houses. Given the generous zoning plan and its overall position relative to the city, one can imagine the city’s original ambition to establish a new villa district. The building site is situated on a southwestern slope near Malé náměstí, which actually functions as a turning point for local buses. Thanks to this location, the plot enjoys an unobstructed, permanently protected southwestern view of the nearby Střížovický Hill.

The pentagon-shaped house is positioned at the upper part of the plot. From the north, it is slightly rotated toward the street to create a representative, solid forecourt in front of the house, left unfenced. The lower part of the plot is reserved as a garden.

The layout of the house is strictly defined by its pentagonal shape, which determines both the exterior façade and the internal atrium with its walkway. The living area, together with the garage, is organized into three wings, while the remaining two wings are formed not by solid walls but by vertical wooden slats, completing the pentagon. The gaps between the slats allow unobstructed views from the atrium to the garden and further to Střížovický Hill. The slats are oriented to block views from the outside while permitting views from inside out, creating a comfortable sense of privacy.

The house’s layout is organized around a path leading to the internal atrium, which serves as the central focal point. Anyone entering the house is visually guided along this path through the main living spaces — the living room with kitchen and the bedrooms. The slope of the plot presented a challenge from the outset: the client requested a barrier-free house without stairs. The height difference is addressed with an internal ramp, which serves not only as vertical circulation but also as a means to experience the space smoothly and uninterruptedly.

The entrance wing of the pentagon flows naturally from the street level and contains a garage for two cars, a technical room, a study, a guest room, sanitary facilities, and the main entrance with vestibule and wardrobe. The street-facing alcove was carved from the pentagon’s volume and is entirely clad with horizontal wooden boards.

We designed the pentagon layout around two scenarios: for the owners arriving from the garage, and for guests entering through the main entrance. The path from the garage gradually proved essential, so it was connected by a generous corridor opening to the garden. The corridor is glazed and connects the guest room with the study. The privacy of rooms is controlled with curtains that can be adjusted as needed. Non-load-bearing partitions allow flexible space arrangements, for example, creating two children’s rooms in the future.

The main visitor entrance leads through the vestibule into the main living wing, which opens along the ramp into the double-height living room and kitchen. The main living area connects via sliding doors to the bedroom wing with its own bathroom. The bedroom wing ends with an outdoor covered terrace featuring a hot tub and barbecue. The interior perimeter of the pentagon is protected by a large roof overhang, which prevents overheating and creates a sheltered space for comfortable access to the terrace. Part of the space under the garage is used as a garden storage area.

Authors: Martin Chlanda, Jana Fischerova, Michal Rouha
Location: Skorotice, Usti nad Labem, CZ
Photographs: Michal Rouha
Project : 2015
Realisation : 2016-2018

Authors: Michal Rouha, Marie Delongova
Cooperation: Barbora Jurasova, Tereza Cerna
Location: Prague Holesovice, CZ

On the roof of the houseboat, there is a spacious terrace with a pergola and canopies. Thanks to a design that extends the terrace boards all the way to the edge, visitors feel as if the terrace is floating above the surface of the pond. This design principle creates a unique experience and a strong sense of connection with the surrounding water landscape.

Just before opening…

Author: Michal Rouha
Project: Pavel Srb + momentura
Cooperation: Filip Kocourek
Photographs: Michal Rouha
Location: Holoubkov, CZ

Author: Michal Rouha
Cooperation: Martin Chlanda
Location: Dobris, CZ
Client: ENERGON DOBRIS, s.r.o.
Project: 2012
Construction: 2013–2014
Photos: Michal Rouha

Author: Michal Rouha
Cooperation: Hana Svehlová, Marie Delongova, Barbora Cervenova
Cooperation during realisation: Jeroným Prazsky
Location: Praha 7, Holesovice
Fotographs: Michal Rouha

Ocenění: BIG SEE Interior Design Award 2024

BIG SEE Interior Award / Jury evaluation:

The Keboola office concept embodies versatility and inclusivity, clearly expressed in its thoughtful design tailored to individual preferences. From communal gatherings to focused work zones, the space adapts to the diverse needs of its users. Bold yet balanced color accents add vibrancy, while the urban-industrial aesthetic blends new and old with an innovative approach. With comfortable corners defined by strategic lighting, it offers a relaxed yet professional atmosphere suitable for both formal meetings and informal hangouts. It's a refreshing interpretation of workspace dynamics, embracing creativity and functionality in equal measure.

The City Terraces combine a representative space, quiet corners with views of Ještěd, and an outdoor theater stage. The main goal is to improve accessibility across the different levels, allowing free movement between them. The lower flat area is finished with compacted earth and can be adapted as needed — from a sports field to a theater stage or dance floor. The adjacent slope naturally forms a seating area, while the lowest level includes several rows of stepped seating. From the two upper terrace levels, visitors can observe activities along walls and railings.

The southwest part of the terraces serves as a garden for a new café. The entrance to the bunker is covered, creating a pleasant arcade.

The planting concept includes a structural framework of long-lived trees such as Quercus robur and Tilia cordata, complemented by fruit trees. The aim is to evoke the atmosphere of terraced gardens. Most fruit trees are placed on the lowest terrace level, providing a pleasant microclimate while not obstructing views from the upper terraces. Additional fruit trees are located on the top terrace level, also to minimize view obstruction. Vine plants are integrated into the sloped terrain, while shaded areas are planted with groundcover vegetation.

Aesthetic elements in the space emphasize the character of the terraces. Metal railings highlight the wall lines, with wide handrails offering comfortable support for enjoying the views. Similarly, shading structures reference the hanging of colored fabrics through their form. Selected terrace locations feature benches, and the lower level includes movable tables and chairs. This lower level also allows connection to the power supply via ground-level outlets.

Team: Rehwaldt Landscape Architects + momentura
Landscape design: Dipl.-Ing. Till Rehwadt, Ing. Eliska Cerná, Ing. arch. Adela Chmelova, Ing. Eliska Olsanska
Urban-design concept: Ing. arch. Michal Rouha, Ing. arch. Marie Delongova, Ing. arch. Anton Vinas
Transportation concept: Ing. Jan Eibl

Author: Michal Rouha
Landscape architect: Radka Matouskova
Cooperation: Lucia Kanderova, The Hong Nhung, Hana Svehlova
Visuals: Pavel Vinter ZAN studio
Location: Trutnov, CZ

Authors: Michal Rouha, Marie Delongova, Hana Svehlova, Filip Kocourek
Location: Strazne, Trutnov, CZ

The location of the central public space, positioned in front of the brewery, has been chosen with several factors in mind. The north-western corner of the square represents the highest point of the area, offering pedestrians a clear overview of the entire square. Thanks to this elevated position, the space sits above the adjacent intersection rather than being dominated by it, making the traffic easier to overlook—or simply ignore.

The site also offers a beautiful view across the lowered rooflines of the surrounding development towards the slopes of the Šance nature reserve. Traffic calming on Bartoňova Street connects the existing community area with the active ground floor along the western edge of the square.

Along the calmed street, parallel and longitudinal parking is proposed, including accessible parking spaces, charging station columns, and bicycle racks. The corner of the site also accommodates underground containers for separated waste, with an adjacent loading area. Parking is visually and physically separated from surrounding public spaces by bollards.

The space then continues into a market area shaded by the canopies of mature pagoda trees. Via six steps—or two wide seating terraces (2 × 40 cm in height)—visitors reach the main community space with a café. This area is conceived as a versatile “dance floor”: a venue for vintage car gatherings, rides organised by the Veteran Bicycle Club Zbraslav, or evening screenings of cult films and documentaries. During market days, it can host a lively accompanying programme.

The northern strip behind the café is conceived as a quiet retreat with seating integrated into perennial planting beds. The area is shaded by the crowns of three transplanted dove trees. From the south, the café terrace is partially shaded by a steel pergola overgrown with wisteria. The entire forecourt in front of the café is bordered on the southern side by a small water feature composed of low water jets.

Further south, an open space is dedicated to the Memorial to the Victims of the First World War. This commemorative site is given a dignified, generous setting, enclosed by a group of three mature pagoda trees. The eastern edge of the square’s central space is lined with two rows of pagoda trees, whose canopies provide shade for market stalls.

Moving westwards, the space transitions into a shaded area with an expansive water basin. The basin is partially divided by a low weir, separating the main water surface from the planted filtration zones. The water feature is supplied by rainwater collected from the roofs of surrounding buildings. Granite stepping blocks allow the basin to be fully traversed, leading via three wide seating steps (3 × 40 cm) to a shaded corner that remains comfortable even during extreme heat. Alternatively, the water feature can be bypassed along the pavement next to the bus stop, or crossed using the seating steps (3 × 40 cm), which also resolve height differences across the site.

Along the full length of the brewery, a perennial infiltration planting bed is proposed, widening near the eastern corner at the lowest point of the site. Crossing the street, one enters the eastern ground-floor zone. The existing marble staircase with its retaining wall is preserved. This parterre is conceived as a place of active everyday life. Its perimeter is defined by a pavement and a tree-lined edge, while the centre is animated by rain gardens with perennials accompanying the trees. Space is also provided for a row of market stalls, allowing the entire square to come alive during market events.

The eastern space is bordered to the north by a transfer bus stop and to the south by angled parking with underground containers for separated waste. The parterre along the southern side of the square follows a similar concept; however, greater emphasis is placed on perennial planting beds, no stalls are proposed here, and the existing Freedom Tree planted in 2018 is preserved.

Authors: Michal Rouha, Marie Delongova, Hana Svehlova, Magdalena Preckova
Landscape architect: Radka Matouskova
Traffic engineer: Jan Eibl
Visuals: TRQ
Location: Zbraslav, Prague, CZ

The project also involved reorganizing the ground level, connecting the house to the terrain, and adding covered parking. This is achieved through a lightweight steel structure suspended along the eastern edge of the plot — a subtle, almost floating gesture that releases the house from the confinement of its original annexes and allows it to breathe freely from all sides. The roof of the structure is designed as an extensive green surface, returning part of what was taken back to the landscape.

The ground level also includes a complete reorganization of the terrain: new retaining walls and staircases make the different levels of the plot accessible and create a natural path around the house. The overall concept is designed so that moving through the property feels light and organic. In the future, an outdoor lift is planned on the northern side — discreet yet essential, allowing the house to be accessible to anyone who wishes to use it without barriers.

Client Review:

“Michal and his entire team were like a gift from heaven for our family. They handled all of our specific requests with ease, always listened carefully, were extremely accommodating, and at the same time communicated clearly how things stood and what the options were. We consider their approach highly exceptional and plan to continue working with Momentura in the future.”

Authors: Michal Rouha, Hana Svehlova, Marie Delongova
Location: Praha, Vinohrady
Project: 2021-2022

Authors: Michal Rouha, Radka Matouskova, Lucia Kanderova, Nhung Hong, Kristyna Rajdlova
Visuals: Adam Preisler
Location: Trutnov, CZ

At the centre of the apartmant is the living space with the kitchen and living space - a place to cook, work, read, and talk, all at once, without getting in each other’s way. Two quiet corners for work, a generous kitchen, shelves filled with books, a spot for the dogs and a cozy armchair for reading or just doing nothing. Minimalism with a soul. A home that breathes with its people, not beside them.

The client’s brief was clear — the apartment should connect, not divide. And that’s exactly what it does.

Light tones, wood, and subtle details take center stage — adding warmth and character. The vision of a home that truly lives with its people has become reality. Every element has meaning. Nothing superfluous, nothing for effect.

The bedroom is designed as a retreat after a long day - a place to slow down and let the city fade away behind the blinds. Tone-on-tone colors, soft textiles, and complete darkness thanks to the exterior blinds create the perfect setting for deep sleep. This space keeps simple, functional, and balanced between beauty and comfort.

Two distinct basins, abundant light, and a bathtub – a space for both shared moments and quiet contemplation. Clean lines, considered details, and smart lighting to support the natural rhythm of the day.

Every detail here serves a purpose – no superfluity, no grand gestures. New higher doors allow the space to breathe. Light reflects off the warm tones of the parquet flooring, travelling across the apartment all the way to the walk-in closet, which replaced one of the original bathrooms. Brass handles flow throughout the apartment; the kitchen counter gently arcs into a curve; and the cables for the heat recovery or smart home system remain in an invisible plane – exactly where they belong. Minimalism with a functional soul – a home that lives with people.

What surprised the client about our collaboration:

"The initial detailed questionnaire, professional approach, and the fact that we, as clients, were always prioritized. The 3D computer model of the design was invaluable, as was the printed final draft we received as a Christmas gift."

"We were also thoroughly impressed by Michal's follow-up visit six months after moving in, demonstrating a genuine interest in the final outcome and how we were truly living in the space."

Architect: Ing. arch. Michal Rouha
Collaboration: MA Tereza Černá
Location: Praha 8, Karlín

Construction: Bohemia Decor Group s.r.o.
Furniture: Truhlářství Havlík s.r.o.

Client review:

"We would like to thank Michal and the Momentura studio for the excellent collaboration on the realization of our mountain cottage. From the very beginning, we were impressed by their professional approach and the preparation of all materials, including the stunning visualizations and the physical 3D-printed model of our cottage. The collaboration was amazing for us both professionally and personally, and everything was carried out to our complete satisfaction."

Interior

The main central living area with the kitchen and dining room is naturally illuminated from all four cardinal directions. The arrangement of the individual modules provides sheltered interior spaces as well as privacy for the adjoining outdoor areas.

The interior is based on warm wooden tones, complemented by colorful accents in fabrics and upholstery. The plywood ceiling emphasizes the unique forms of the modules, giving each room a distinctive character. The design carefully incorporates ample storage, often integrated directly into the surrounding walls. Lighting elements are selected for their simplicity, with a touch of Scandinavian design.

Author: Michal Rouha
Cooperation: Hana Svehlova
Visuals : TRQ
Location: Plesivec, Abertamy, CZ

Realization: Devoto Prefabhomes s.r.o.

Author: Michal Rouha
Cooperation: Anton Vinas
Location: Cerveny kopec, Trutnov, CZ

Building No. 3 – the structure is being renovated with functions similar to those it currently serves: residential use, storage, and courtyard support. The living area is planned on the western side, within the small space of the original habitable rooms. Thanks to the high ceiling and varying heights of the roof structures, a sleeping mezzanine can be created in these areas, effectively expanding the usable living space.

The barn – or "working with the shell." The building is being reconstructed and modified, with a new roof plane only at its ends – the southern and northern sides. On the southern side, the original granary is being restored to serve as a covered communal space. The northern section, as a partial new extension, is dedicated to beekeeping and all related activities. The central part of the building is left open for recreational purposes.

Authors: Michal Rouha, Tereza Cerna
Cooperation: Marie Delongova, Anton Vinas
Location: Cerveny Dvur, Benesov, CZ

Červený Kostelec is a town in the Náchod District of the Hradec Králové Region, with approximately 8,500 inhabitants. The town is divided into seven parts: Červený Kostelec, Bohdašín, Horní Kostelec, Lhota za Červeným Kostelcem, Mstětín, Olešnice, and Stolín. Among its notable landmarks is the Church of St. James the Greater, located on T. G. Masaryk Square. Near the plot of Just’s villa is the J. K. Tyl Theatre, the town’s cultural center.

The building in question is located in Červený Kostelec at 17. listopadu Street, No. 721. It is a two-story, basement-equipped house with an attic and a gable roof. The building has been unused for several years, causing some structures to degrade and no longer fulfill their original functions.

The main entrance is on the first floor. Access to the main hall is through an elevated veranda and entrance vestibule. The hall is connected to a staircase that runs through all floors of the house. From the hall, one can access individual rooms – originally, the first floor housed a salon with a dining area and a kitchen with a maid’s quarters. In the southeastern part of the building, a room was added in later years, connected to a terrace.

The staircase with wooden treads is located in the central section of the building’s northeast part. The landing is inserted into an arch that protrudes from the façade. A clear view through all the living floors forms the staircase’s visual axis.

The second floor follows the layout of the first. The hall again connects to living spaces – originally children’s rooms, guest rooms, and a bedroom. From the children’s room, there is access through a bathroom to a veranda, which is connected to the terrace created by the room extension.

The third floor, the attic, contains a small hall at the top of the stairs, a storage room, and access to the attic space with an open roof structure in good condition. Two simple wooden structures were built into the attic to create small storage areas.

The basement extends under the footprint of the first floor. Access is possible via the hall on the first floor, a separate entrance near the staircase landing, or directly from the terrain on the building’s eastern side. In the western basement, which is deeper in the terrain, there were service areas – originally used for storing coal, coke, and food. The southwest part of the building was likely used as living space.

Among the original interior elements, the windows (likely including grilles), doors (with handles and frames), radiators, wooden paneling, and staircase railing have been preserved. The vestibule, hall, and staircase are the best-preserved areas. On the second floor, the bedroom retains its original furniture set.

The windows are wooden sash windows and can be restored and reused. The wooden doors with frames can also be refurbished. It is recommended to preserve the original paneling and interior details.

The exterior of the villa appears neglected – some window sills are missing, the plaster is cracked, and efflorescence is visible. The current color is likely not original; according to the design, the plaster and cornices were meant to have two different shades, with the plaster on the cornices being darker.

The roof covering matches the original design – red Eternit sheets with copper gutters and details. However, it is no longer in good condition and has lost its original color. Some roof tiles are degraded and moss-covered in places. The stone cladding on the façade, reaching approximately the height of the first floor, should be preserved after cleaning and minor repairs.

The garden is intact but not well-maintained. In the part adjacent to 17. listopadu Street, mature trees and shrubs are present. The rear section of the garden, adjoining the ground floor of the building, features a paved area. A walkway with steps, compensating for the different levels, runs around the entire house.

Basement Floor

On this level, a small apartment was created with a kitchenette, which could also be used independently. The studio apartment can be accessed both from the garden and via a passage from the staircase leading down from the upper floors. The kitchen area and apartment entrance were arranged so that one wall of the kitchen can accommodate a wardrobe.

For the bistro, the design follows the original concept with a bar located in the central part of the space. The area has been supplemented with a basic kitchen, service rooms, storage, and restrooms. Access to the adjusted outdoor terrain is provided through three French windows.

Upper Floor

The coworking space is connected to the exterior through the main entrance of the villa. Access is also possible via the staircase in the southern part of the building, which leads to the terrace.

The main entrance to the meeting room is supplemented with a corridor featuring a translucent partition, allowing access to the coworking space without passing through the meeting room. This also reduces the size of the meeting room, preventing unnecessary use of space. A cloakroom is located at the entrance. The original cloakroom at the current entrance has been relocated to the apartment hall opposite the staircase.

The kitchen opens into the coworking area through three passages, increasing natural light. The women’s restroom is connected to the kitchen, while the men’s restroom is accessed from the hallway.

Second Floor

The staircase is separated by a translucent arched partition, mirroring the shape of the staircase’s curved wall. In the entrance area, a built-in wardrobe with a shoe cabinet has been added. The shared bathroom remains in its original location and includes a bathtub, washing machine, and sink. Next to this bathroom is the children’s room, providing a separate space for children to spend time together.

The bedroom is located in the western part of the building, adjacent to the living room. It features a private bathroom with a shower, toilet, sink, and bidet sprayer. The bathroom could be enhanced with a skylight in the partition or made from translucent material to allow natural light to enter.

The living room is spacious, with a dining area, fireplace, and an original 1950s furniture wall. The kitchen adjoins the living room and connects to the terrace through three French windows. Next to the kitchen is a conservatory, visible from the kitchen through a window above the countertop.

Attic

The staircase is again separated by a translucent arched partition. From the vestibule, one enters the main room with sleeping areas. Access to the sleeping mezzanine is via a staircase located in front of the chimney. The mezzanine is separated by a wall for added privacy. Sleeping areas on the lower level are raised above the level of the structural beams.

The kitchen is spacious, with seating and access to a balcony through a walk-through roof window. The bathroom includes a separate toilet and shower.

Before starting the drawings and design, a fairly detailed architectural and historical survey of the building was conducted. As part of the survey, in which we placed the building in its historical context, we traced the history of the main builder, the owner, the architect of the renovation, the interior, and the overall story of the villa up to the present day. The survey’s findings were then compiled into a small hardcover booklet.

You can browse it here in our studio, comfortably over a cup of coffee…

... passage from the book:

The Just Villa in Červený Kostelec was built in 1935 (building permit issued in 1933). The owner of the land and villa was Jan Just, the grandson of Antonín Just Sr.

He lived there with his wife, Ludmila Justová. Their son, Jan Just Jr., inherited the villa in 1945. The Just family likely also had a daughter, Lída (Liduška), shown in the attached photographs, and according to family information, possibly another daughter.

The villa was constructed by the office of Robert Dvořáček, with František Holý and Josef Vejr serving as construction experts. According to the permit, the building was executed according to the documentation, with the floor level set 200 cm above ground. The windows were designed to open inward. The roof covering was hard and red in color. The plaster and façade were executed to harmonize with the overall street appearance.

The construction also included a notice regarding fencing work, which resulted in a fence with a stone base, iron structure, and wire mesh.

Authors: Michal Rouha, Magdaléna Přečková
Collaboration: Marie Delongová, Hana Švehlová
Location: Červený Kostelec

The study builds on a clear spatial structure and divides the area into functionally distinct but interconnected parts. It emphasizes clear spatial organization, a balanced connection of quiet and active zones, and respect for the existing greenery and landscape character. An important role is also played by barrier-free design and overall safety for all users.

Part of the proposal is preserving the open meadow, creating a central recreational space, and adding sports and play elements that support everyday use of the place across generations.

The study proposal develops the area as a clear, legible, and well-connected public space with a strong emphasis on everyday use by residents of all age groups. It includes new pedestrian routes that logically connect individual parts of the site, a multi-generational playground, multifunctional sports areas including space for in-line activities, and stay areas equipped with benches and urban furniture. The traffic concept prioritizes pedestrian movement and minimizes conflicts with car traffic, thereby increasing user safety and overall comfort.

The material and landscape design is conceived with long-term durability, easy maintenance, and the site’s natural character in mind. A combination of natural materials, paved surfaces, and greenery supports a cohesive visual identity of the area, while carefully selected urban furniture enhances the quality of stay and overall user comfort.

The revitalization of the Šestidomí housing estate in Trutnov has been developed in dialogue with the people who actually live there. In collaboration with the organization Participace měst, we opened a public discussion on an almost final version of the study and jointly explored what works in the place, what should remain, and what needs to change.

The result is a project that is not based merely on visualizations but on the real needs of the local community. Participation here is not an add-on but a key part of the whole process — helping distinguish real problems from first impressions and transform them into a long-term sustainable solution.

Public space is not created on paper. It is created among people. And according to us, this is exactly what quality public space architecture should look like.

The Šestidomí revitalization study presents a comprehensive proposal that combines a professional architectural approach with active public participation. Thanks to the involvement of local residents, the design responds to the real needs of the housing estate and has the potential to become a natural center of community life. At the same time, the project establishes a solid foundation for subsequent stages of project development and the gradual implementation of the area’s revitalization.

Watch a report from the public presentation of the nearly final design for the revitalization of the Šestidomí housing estate.

Autorský tým: Michal Rouha, Marie Delongová, Barbora Jurášová
Participace: Participace Měst - Dominika Potužáková, Michaela Malá
Lokalita: Trutnov, sídliště Šestidomí
Klient: Město Trutnov

The current layout already has the character of a residential zone. Our goal was to further develop and enhance this potential.

The project is based on the principles of blue-green infrastructure — infiltration areas, retention tanks, and new tree planting naturally manage rainwater and improve the neighborhood’s microclimate. The result is an environment that is sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, and resilient to climate challenges.

The revitalization of Lipová–Hybešova–Rumunská has become an example of how participation and architecture can go hand in hand. The city gained high-quality data for the next phases of design, architects received valuable on-site insights, and residents gained confidence that the transformation of their neighborhood is happening with respect — not imposed from above, but developed together with them. Humpolec thus demonstrates that urban planning can be open, sensitive, and human-centered.

Local residents played a key role in the project. In the fall of 2024, a several-month participatory process, led by Dominika Potužáková and Michaela Malá, brought together the city, architects, and the community.

People actively contributed to the design — sharing their experiences, identifying problematic areas, and helping define the neighborhood’s real needs. Thanks to this participation, architects gained first-hand insights. Residents showed how the space is actually used — which significantly refined the final outcome.

The process had several stages — from on-site surveys directly among the houses, through public workshops, to the joint presentation of the final study.

You can read more on the Participace měst.

“What I consider key is the early involvement of people who know the place. When they can influence the design from the very beginning, they are more likely to embrace it during implementation,” summarized Petr Machek, the mayor of Humpolec.

Project Team: Michal Rouha, Marie Delongová, Barbora Jurášová
Participation: Participatory Cities – Dominika Potužáková, Michaela Malá
Location: Humpolec, Stodůlky locality
Client: City of Humpolec

We sought a conceptual approach to a spatially generous house that would simultaneously comply with the excessive regulatory constraints. We chose a solution in which the regulations themselves become the core concept: a roof ridge oriented perpendicular to the street axis, running diagonally across the rectangular footprint of the house. The building is placed at the very corner of the plot, aligned parallel to its longer side.

The asymmetrical placement of the roof is the main external feature of an otherwise archetypal gabled volume. A frame structure of glued laminated timber trusses divides the house into 2.5-metre modules. The centre of the house forms a direct passage from the entrance on the north to the terrace on the south. Along both sides of this central “corridor”, 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 metre cells emerge — an imagined spatial grid. In service areas, this grid is filled with built-in equipment that follows its geometry. The main living space, by contrast, remains open and unbuilt, containing only freely arranged furniture. This principle continues in the attic, where the space is further shaped by the sloping roof.

We propose a two-storey timber house composed of five structural bays formed by glued laminated timber frames. The frames are spaced at 2.5 metres on centre, with a span of 6.5 metres and a height of 6.8 metres. A ceiling slab separating the ground floor from the attic is inserted into the three northern bays.

The ground floor is traversed by an internal “street” running from the main entrance in the north to the terrace at the southern porch. Connected to it are individual “inserted” cells accommodating the utility room, wardrobe and sports storage, bathroom, and a flexible multi-purpose module.

The glazing of the longitudinal façades follows the structural module in its rhythm. A narrow strip of windows on the eastern façade provides natural light to the technical facilities, bathroom, and staircase without direct visual contact with the street. The western ribbon window offers a generous connection to the garden. The northern façade is perforated only by the entrance door and a small bedroom window framing a view towards Černá hora. The southern façade opens through a French door onto the terrace.

The building will be founded on concrete strip footings. The house is designed as a timber structure of exposed glued laminated frames, with a ceiling inserted above the northern section. The timber frames will remain visible in the interior. The façade assembly, including the roof, will be ventilated.

Our aim was to insert a simple, colour-neutral object into a surrounding context of exuberant forms and vivid colours. For this reason, the house façade and the site fencing are designed from vertical larch boards and planks, stained in a dark grey tone. The material unity of the fence and the house clearly expresses that the building belongs to the plot, and the plot to the building.

The roof is specified as a standing-seam titanium-zinc cladding, also in a dark grey shade. The wood-aluminium windows are finished in dark grey on the exterior.

The interior of the house remains restrained and sober. The timber frames are left exposed in their natural appearance. The internal lining (gypsum board / Fermacell panels) is finished in white paint. The inserted spatial cells may either be differentiated through colour and material or remain neutral; however, they always respect the principle of an inserted infill within the structural grid, and thus remain clearly legible as independent elements.

Authors: Benedikt Markel, Michal Rouha, Martin Chlanda, Jana Fischerová
Location: Trutnov, Červený kopec
Photographs: Michal Rouha, Benedikt Markel

The massing of the house is derived from the archetypal form of a gabled-roof dwelling. The entrance position with its traditional porch is equally conventional. However, the building is further shaped by the sloping terrain and the internal spatial programme. As a result of the asymmetrical roof placement, the southern eaves line is lowered by an entire storey. The southern roof plane thus covers the children’s bedrooms and the main living area, both illuminated by long, narrow roof openings – “slits”.

The recessed southern façade acts as an eye overlooking the landscape: its full-height glazing brings ample daylight into the interior while offering spectacular views of the city and the surrounding countryside. All primary living spaces are oriented to the south, towards the garden.

The entrance level at street height is divided into two parts by the staircase. The eastern side accommodates the children’s bedrooms with a private bathroom, while the western section serves as a workshop and storage area.

The main living space with the kitchen, as well as the master bedroom, is located on the lower ground floor in direct contact with the garden. The bedroom sits beneath the children’s rooms on the eastern side, while the living area lies to the west, below the workshop. The space is partially open to the attic above. A utility room is positioned behind the bedroom.

A garden storage room, wine cellar, and sauna are integrated beneath the carport structure and are located outside the main building envelope.

Authors: Michal Rouha, Martin Chlanda, Jana Fischerova, Benedikt Markel
Location : Trutnov, CZ
Project : 2013
Construction : 2014–2016
Photos: Michal Rouha, Benedikt Markel

The positioning of the building on the plot respects its gentle slope – the house does not obstruct the terrain but follows the contour lines. The structures of the individual houses are placed on footings and are connected on the west side by a covered outdoor corridor.

The larger building is intended for living. The ground floor houses the main living area with a kitchen and dining table, a fireplace, and a modular sofa. This space offers views from east through south to west. There is also a bedroom, a shared bathroom with a separate toilet, a utility room, and storage under the staircase. The ground floor spaces are designed for barrier-free accessibility. The attic provides a space for children, which can be divided into two separate rooms in the future.

The smaller building contains one room, a separate bathroom with a toilet, and a sauna. The combination of these spaces, their arrangement, and the fact that it is a separate building creates an environment suitable for undisturbed home work, hosting visiting family, or use as a small private wellness area.

Interior

The interior is designed in warm, inviting tones. A key feature is the exposed wooden structure of the solid panels, one of the main materials used in the interior. This is complemented by neutral white walls and shades of gray. Gray tones appear mainly in the flooring, plasters, and kitchen cabinetry. A striking local accent is the area around the fireplace in the living room, where black metal panels transition into an upper shelf for books.

Small colorful accents are provided by interior details – fixtures, lighting, handles, and railings. The overall interior feels welcoming and cozy. Thoughtful placement of windows connects every spot in the house to the surrounding nature. These views from the windows enhance the interior like ever-changing natural paintings.

Author: Michal Rouha
Cooperation: Lucia Kanderova, Filip Kocourek
Visuals: SDAR, Michal Šlusar
Location: Rehenice, Benesov, CZ

Within the office landscape, two volumes clad in black-painted OSB panels stand alongside a larger, elongated green box with generous glazing that frames views deep into the production hall. One of the black volumes discreetly integrates a compact kitchenette, a seating niche, and ample built-in storage.

Staircases attached to the sides of each box lead to elevated platforms above, adding another spatial layer to the open-plan environment. Workstations are loosely distributed across the floor, allowing the volumes to define the space without enclosing it.

The atmosphere is calm and acoustically muted, enhanced by heraklite ceiling panels and rubber studded flooring. Silence feels intentional here.

The hall’s structure remains fully exposed, coated in a deep black finish. Nothing is concealed. Ventilation ducts, heating pipes, and cable trays are left visible, unapologetically expressing their purpose. Materials and technologies do not pretend — they confidently embody their character and function within the space.

We enter the interior of the green volume through its large glazed wall, stepping into one of the meeting rooms. The space is entirely finished in black. Pyramid acoustic foam on the walls and ceiling, combined with a dark carpet, naturally directs our gaze — the view into the hall becomes a framed image.

We take our seats at a table with a solid oak top engraved with a subtle graphic. The wood brings a sense of elegance and warmth to the room.

Before we begin — would you like coffee or tea?

Author: Michal Rouha
Cooperation: Martin Chlanda, Jana Fischerova, Lucie Rachel Drevikovska, Filip Kocourek
Location: Myto u Rokycan
Photos: Michal Rouha

Authors: Vojtěch Rýzner, Michal Rouha, Jakub Heidler, Michal Bílek
Co-authoring Studio: Studio Reaktor s.r.o.
Location: National Technical Museum, Prague
Photography: Michal Rouha

Exhibition Author: Jan Králík
Expert Collaboration: Jan Štěrba
Exhibition Curator: Arnošt Nezmeškal
Exhibition Supervision: Karel Ksandr
Exhibition Graphic Design: Via Gaudium
Production: Blanka Kreibichová
Promotion: Jana Dobisíková, Adam Dušek
Accompanying Programs: Jiří Čermák
English Translation: James Harries
Language Editing: Helena Pinkerová
Expert Archival Content: Lucie Swierczeková
Audiovisuals: Jaromír Šlápota
NTM Technical Supervision: Jan Duspěva
Exhibition Realisation: Design BY HY s.r.o.
Printing: Astron print s.r.o.
Exhibit Installation: Irena Cudlínová, Hana Patočková

At the core of the design concept is restoring the original identity of the place, where historical maps show a large green area within the town. This character is reinforced not only by introducing entry gateways with arched motifs but also by transforming the parking into a more natural and greener form. Parking spaces are composed within greenery, among newly planted trees, using permeable materials such as grass-stone pavers. The proposal thus links functional needs with respect for the local environment and overall sustainability.

Another key element is the clearly defined connection of significant urban paths throughout the town. Within the project area, a new service building is proposed that sensitively responds to the site’s changes in elevation. This building includes public toilets and space for waste containers. From the lower level, it is accessed from the parking area; from the higher level, it connects via terraced steps oriented toward a newly proposed stage near the old fortifications. This creates an open venue for gatherings and outdoor events that naturally complements the dynamic life of the town.

Surface materials were chosen not only for their aesthetic and functional qualities but also with regard to the local context and long‑term sustainability. The emphasis is on creating an environment that is not only practical but also pleasant for residents and visitors alike. What today feels like a neutral void becomes a place with character — a place that connects history with the future and functionality with the natural rhythms of everyday life.

The revitalization also includes new elements of urban furniture and modern public lighting. The result will be a calm zone suitable for gatherings, short rest, and everyday strolling — a place where people will genuinely want to stop. For example, on the steps of the service building’s roof, benches surrounded by greenery allow visitors to comfortably view ongoing outdoor exhibitions.

Architects: Ing. arch. Michal Rouha, Ing. arch. Marie Delongová, Ing. arch Barbora Jurášová
Location: Česká Třebová
Invited competition 2nd place

The municipality of Poříčany is located in the Kolín district, northeast of the town of Český Brod. The site, with a total area of 1,009 m², is situated in the northwestern part of the village within its peripheral development zone. It was created by subdividing an originally elongated plot into smaller parcels, resulting in a linear arrangement of detached family houses along a single access road. A key advantage of this location is its partial separation from the main body of the village, providing a degree of privacy.

The building site consists of two parcels and is located in the southern part of the development area. It is accessible from the north via a gravel road. The terrain slopes դեպի the south, offering views of the adjacent open fields. The panorama towards the southeast is complemented in the distance by mature greenery, which naturally screens views toward the village center.

To the east, the plot adjoins an already developed parcel with mature coniferous trees located close to the boundary. On the western side, it borders an existing family house. The total elevation difference across the site is approximately 5.5 meters.

The plot is subject to spatial regulations defined by the local zoning plan. These specify the maximum building height (two above-ground floors plus an attic), the ratio of built-up area to green space (maximum 1:3), and the roof character – a pitched roof with non-reflective roofing material.

The key design principles responding to the site context include the southern orientation and slope of the plot, access from the elevated northern side, preferred views ranging from southeast to southwest, and the diverse character of the surroundings to the west and north. On the eastern side, the site is naturally defined by medium-height greenery.

Positioning the house in the northern part of the plot allows for optimal use of the south-facing garden. Due to the significant level difference, the building is partially embedded into the slope, and the interior spaces are organized across two height levels. The entrance floor aligns with the main access level, while the lower, partially recessed floor maintains direct contact with the garden.

For practical and thermal-performance reasons, the mass is divided into two volumes – the family house and a separate garage with a workshop. Their subtle relationship and placement define a clearly articulated entrance forecourt. The composition of the house and garage, with roofs oriented inversely to one another, creates a distinctive exterior silhouette reminiscent of a trumpet or megaphone. This principle is reflected in the overall functioning of the building – in its controlled opening and closing towards the surroundings. It is expressed through the concentration of window openings primarily on the northern and southern façades, as well as in the movement sequence from the entrance forecourt, through the interior spaces, to the southern terrace and garden.

To optimize daylight conditions and orientation, the southern façade is rotated differently at each level according to its function. The upper entrance level, containing bedrooms and a study, is oriented more towards the east, allowing morning sunlight to naturally activate these spaces. In contrast, the lower level with the living area, kitchen, and dining space is oriented more towards the west, ensuring sunlight remains present until the evening hours.

The rotation of the volumes is achieved by recessing the façades within the overall mass of the building. Structural overhangs provide natural shading for the southern windows, balcony, and terrace.

The family house is composed of two distinct volumes. The first, smaller structure positioned closer to the street contains a garage with an adjoining workshop. It can be accessed either directly from the adjacent road or from the generous semi-public/semi-private entrance forecourt located beneath the canopy.

This entrance area is designed as the main representative approach to the house, providing parking space for two cars intended for clients and frequent family visitors. The canopy, placed at the junction of the two volumes, shelters both the main entrance to the house and the garage entry. This arrangement allows a comfortable dry transition between the garage and the residential building.

The main entrance leads to the above-ground floor, entering a vestibule with integrated storage. This space continues into a central circulation area with a staircase. From here, two children’s bedrooms, a home office with occasional guest accommodation, a bathroom with a bathtub, and a separate toilet are accessible. The circulation zone and sanitary facilities on this level are naturally illuminated by a continuous horizontal strip window. The children’s rooms and the office have direct access to a covered outdoor balcony, ensuring immediate connection to the exterior.

Descending the staircase leads to the partially sunken basement level. Upon arrival, one enters directly into the main living area, which includes a kitchen with a dining table, a sofa, a fireplace stove zone, and a TV corner. The sofa and dining table act as dominant freestanding elements, while the kitchen unit is recessed into the structure, forming more of an integrated wall component.

Both the living room and the master bedroom maintain direct contact with the outdoor terrace and the south-facing garden, enabling barrier-free movement and a strong indoor–outdoor relationship. The northern section and the space beneath the staircase form the technical core of the house, providing additional storage. This area accommodates a pantry connected to the kitchen and a utility room with a boiler, washing machine, and hot water storage tank.

From the living area, a walk-in wardrobe leads into the more private zone of this level, consisting of the parents’ bedroom, a bathroom with a shower, and a separate toilet. The bathroom and wardrobe are naturally lit through an English courtyard, while the bedroom benefits from large south-facing glazing.

Objekt rodinného domu s garáží je navržen jako zděný z tepelně-izolačních cihel, na betonových základových pasech, s jednoduchými dřevěnými krovy. Střechy jsou pultové k sobě obrácené se střešní krytinu z matných tmavě šedivých vlnitých vláknocementových šablon. Materiál na fasádu obou objektů je navržen jako výrazná rýhovaná omítka se perleťovým nádechem. Fasáda tak dostává za každého počasí jiný nádech a jiný vizuál, mění se. Okna i dveře jsou navržena jako tepelněizolační v dřevohliníkovém provedení. Oplechování konstrukcí je navrženo jako pozinkované. Povrchy zpevněných ploch kolem rodinného domu jsou navrženy ve třech základních podobách. Betonová podlouhlá obdélníková dlažba reprezentuje vstupní chodník v předprostoru domu. Jemný pojezdový štěrk je v místech vjezdu do garáže a před domem, kde parkují automobily. I z hlediska současného stavu blízké štěrkové nezpevněné komunikace je to jednoduché a praktické řešení. A nakonec povrch teras, které jsou provedeny jako modřínové z hladkých prken.

Authors: Michal Rouha, Martin Chlanda, Jana Fischerova
Cooperation: Lucie Rachel Drevikovska
Project: Motion construction s.r.o.
Location: Poricany (CZ)

Realization: Monolit Praha, spol. s r.o.

Vidoule is rooted in the site’s unmistakable genius loci—a stretch of wild nature set within a developing city. The concept also builds on the very meaning of the name Vidoule, derived from viděti (to see). Thanks to its panoramic views across the whole of Prague, the site is a unique element within the city’s park system.

Preserving and reinforcing the natural character of the area, together with the discreet integration of activities, form the cornerstones of its revitalisation. The proposal draws on the site’s natural values, preserves them, and further develops them. On a second level, it focuses on the site’s exceptional views of the city, working with them through a system of scenic loops and viewpoints. Another layer addresses the sensitive integration of sports and activities, creating a place that is actively and naturally used. Finally, the proposal embeds Vidoule within Prague’s green infrastructure system and redefines the area as an important connector between the surrounding neighbourhoods.

The defining factor of the site is its geological substrate—two superimposed layers of shale and sandstone creating the characteristic steep slopes of the table mountain. These slopes host the area’s most valuable natural features, as well as zones under special protection, including natural monuments. Accordingly, the proposal establishes a naturally valuable ring with a non-invasive approach to interventions. Circuits are placed along the edges of the slopes, guiding visitors throughout the area and offering a comprehensive exploration of Vidoule.

The lower circuit focuses primarily on natural values and connections with the surrounding city, partially accommodating pedestrian transit. The upper circuit is oriented towards viewpoints and integration with active use of the natural park. The plateau at the top—most affected by human activity—is designated as an active area for sports and recreational use, emphasising sensitive integration with the wild landscape.

The study seeks to establish connections both between wild nature and designed landscapes, and between active park use while preserving and enhancing the existing composition of flora and fauna. To achieve this, key principles were defined, addressing the following themes: engagement with historical values, preservation of the natural character, activation of urban connections, unobtrusive integration of activities, and public inclusion.

Authors: Jan Kacer, Jakub Heidler, Vojtech Ryzner, Michal Rouha
Landscape design: Radka Matouskova, Eva Jenikova, Magdalena Smetanova
Cooperation: Ivo Kratochvil, Sarka Gulasiova, Katerina Stiehlova, Andrej Siman, Tomas Krc, The Hong Nhung
Cooperation studio: Studio Reaktor s.r.o.
Sociology and participation: Dominika Potuzakova, Lenka Baumgartnerovaa, Romana Trusinova, Katerina Svatonn Gillarova
Visuals: Sdar, Michal Slusar
Location: Vidoule, Prague