Na Vackove Residential Houses, Prague Residences, Czech Republic Housing, CZ Architecture Design

Na Vackove Residential Houses, Prague

Czech Residential Buildings design by Unit Architekti

1 Sep 2013

Design: Unit Architekti

Location: Prague, Czech Republic

photo : Filip Slapal

Prague Residential Property

Na Vackove Residential Houses Prague

The housing complex Vackov represents project which emerged from long-term research of residential qualities of the built environment. Utilizing low-rise/high density principles, Vackov is an example of compact urban development with attractive common spaces and as such represents a sustainable alternative to suburban housing.

The goal was to design contemporary urban housing which reflects human scale, offers appropriate hierarchy of privacy and foster social interaction. The main emphasis was put on creating a legible environment with an intuitive layout.

photo : Filip Slapal

The design integrates a variety of demands placed on urban housing today: services and comfort which correspond to the traditional urban density, but also a level of privacy and the pleasure of living in a private house with garden. It borrows its scale, legibility and a hierarchy of public spaces from the traditional city and combines it with neighbor relations of local community of garden cities.

photo : Filip Slapal

At the core of the design is an understanding of social interactions between the residents followed by designing of corresponding outdoor spaces whose purpose and usage is determined by varying levels of intimacy on a scale between “public” and “private”.

photos : Filip Slapal

The size of the complex is equivalent to one city block. The overall layout consist of three clusters each comprising of 3-4 buildings (30-40 dwelling units), whose size, character and spatial organization create the potential for neighborly living. The core of each cluster is formed by semiprivate space with garden characteristics. Each cluster is featured by common interior space oriented to the courtyard.

Permeability of the complex is achieved through semipublic paths in-between clusters, accessible to the public, but primarily used by the residents. The paths meet in a central commons which serves as an informal center of the complex.