RENOVATION OF A MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPA HOUSE

FAST VUT - Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Department of Architecture

Project idea

The main idea of ours atelier was renovation of the object which floor plan is in the shape of the letter „L“. It lays approximately in the historical centre of Malé Svatoňovice, Trutnov region. It is further north in the middle of the two significant cities of the Czech republic, which are Brno and Prague. In not as of a large village which is located in the Krkonoše mountains is a surprisingly big railway station where trains are passing through. Despite the steep terrain of the village the civic amenities are really good.

The main dominant of the Karel Čapek Square here is Church with well and spring next to it. Right under all that is our two-winged building. In the past, the multifunctional building was the object of a former manor house which currently is not in a very good condition. Originally it had a hipped roof with tiled roofing and two floors. On the facade was cornice, moldings, bosses and shambrans. After the fire in the 1930’s, the First Republic reconstruction took place and it was rebuild into the municipal office. The roof of the attic was made of asbestos stencils and the facade lost its original elements. In 1946, The Museum of Čapek Brothers was established.

Nowadays it is a three-storied building with a false mansard roof with a used attic above the spas section. This historical multifunctional spa house is functioning as a museum, ceremonial hall, both in the western wing, than warehouses, doctor, dentist, cosmetics and social flats which are in the northern wing. For the past years the object is finally registered in the list of cultural heritage. This historical baroque landmark has valuable constructions and preserved elements protected by our monument care.

Project description

I have chosen to respect the financial situation of the village and so did not created any new outbuildings. I focused on revealing the original ceiling structures.

Partly, I wanted to return to the historical appearance of Baroque. On all of the doors and windows of the second floor I used shambrans and two cornices on the facade which one of them is under the roofing and one them is in the middle.

The idea of the restoration was to also restore preserved spa elements. In the first floor, where the vaults are the most valuable, it would be a shame not to restore the function of the spa.

The ceremonial hall lacks hygienic facilities so it should be moved to a building with a feature designed for that purpose, which is the municipal office. The perspective of the municipal office can be realized in the future within the financial capacities. It could be created at the place where the buildings burned down and that will be the square of Karel Čapek which ought to be closed. Instead of the ceremonial hall, I used these attractive spaces to create a small winery with an exterior terrace on the square.

The museum has new spaces. On the first floor are reception, dressing room and warehouse and on the second and third floors are new sanitary facilities and a projection salle.

A new feature is also a pharmacy at the entrance to the building. On the second floor there are a doctor, dentist, physiotherapist, masseur, X-ray and cosmetics. On the third floor there is a new accommodation for the spa clients and in the attic there are spinning classes which is training on stationary bicycles.

Technical information

I removed the unsightly exterior superstructures and exterior elevator, clearing the building's appearance. The important thing is to ensure barrier-free access to every part of the building. Ramps and both height levels of the wings and all floors are connected by a double-sided elevator. The open ceiling construction above the third floor of the exhibition will give you a new perception of paintings by Josef Čapek. Moisture removal is ensured by means of igloo floor technology. Heating and ventilation are provided by chimney bodies.