House Noir
realisation 2024 – 2026
House Noir is one of three residential buildings designed by our studio, currently being developed as part of a project to revitalize the area near Smíchov Railway Station, under the leadership of Sekyra Group.
The building, characterized by its dark façade, connects with the only remaining original structure—a residential building dating back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. This effort to create a seamless transition between buildings influences the layout of the new house, as the original structure is narrower than the planned development. The transition is marked by a vertical communication space that mirrors the width of the older building. The new house then appropriately expands to match the width of the future constructions. The top floor, following the example of buildings from the 1930s, is partially set back, giving the house a lower appearance when viewed from the street.
The ground floor accommodates retail units, taking advantage of the strategic location on the bustling Nádražní Street. Each apartment facing the street includes a loggia, which, especially on the first floor, serves as a natural noise barrier and separates the living spaces from the retail areas. More generous balconies are located in the quieter inner courtyard. Thanks to the higher degree of glazing facing the courtyard and the westward orientation, the apartments feel bright and airy.
The building’s clean façade design is further emphasized by modern aluminum cladding and adjoining window fillings with an integrated shading system. Although the block may appear as several independent buildings at first glance, it is technically a single large structure with shared amenities and parking. An important aspect of the overall design is the accessibility of the inner courtyard for all residents.
Four architectural studios—A69, Chapman Taylor, LZ Architekti, and edit!—are collaborating on this ambitious project to fill vacant lots along Nádražní Street. The project aims to return to the urban block structure of the 19th century, which can be seen in neighborhoods like Vinohrady or Žižkov quarters. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2024.
Visualization: Dousek-Záborský
The building, characterized by its dark façade, connects with the only remaining original structure—a residential building dating back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. This effort to create a seamless transition between buildings influences the layout of the new house, as the original structure is narrower than the planned development. The transition is marked by a vertical communication space that mirrors the width of the older building. The new house then appropriately expands to match the width of the future constructions. The top floor, following the example of buildings from the 1930s, is partially set back, giving the house a lower appearance when viewed from the street.
The ground floor accommodates retail units, taking advantage of the strategic location on the bustling Nádražní Street. Each apartment facing the street includes a loggia, which, especially on the first floor, serves as a natural noise barrier and separates the living spaces from the retail areas. More generous balconies are located in the quieter inner courtyard. Thanks to the higher degree of glazing facing the courtyard and the westward orientation, the apartments feel bright and airy.
The building’s clean façade design is further emphasized by modern aluminum cladding and adjoining window fillings with an integrated shading system. Although the block may appear as several independent buildings at first glance, it is technically a single large structure with shared amenities and parking. An important aspect of the overall design is the accessibility of the inner courtyard for all residents.
Four architectural studios—A69, Chapman Taylor, LZ Architekti, and edit!—are collaborating on this ambitious project to fill vacant lots along Nádražní Street. The project aims to return to the urban block structure of the 19th century, which can be seen in neighborhoods like Vinohrady or Žižkov quarters. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2024.
Visualization: Dousek-Záborský
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