A fluid and continuous connection between exterior and interior

Czech architects Květa Fiserv and Marek Poddaný adopted a clear, bold approach in their design of this house set in the green landscape of Central Bohemia, a region of the Czech Republic whose administrative centre is the capital Prague. A central aspect of their design philosophy is establishing a strong relationship with their clients, which they regard as a critical factor for the success of any project. Květa Fišerova elaborates: “We had previously worked with the clients on a holiday home by the sea, so we were already familiar with their tastes, needs and habits – factors that are essential when embarking on a new project. It’s vital to get to know the client and to listen attentively so as to gain a deep understanding of their needs. For this project, we focused on forming a seamless connection between the architecture, the exterior and the interior to create a high-quality living space that would ensure maximum comfort.”

In addition to the strong relationship between the parties involved, the project was guided by another clear priority: to enhance the connection between indoors and outdoors. This goal was achieved through the composition of the spaces and openings and a thoughtful selection of materials. “We enjoy working with natural materials like wood and stone in earthy tones,” explains Květa Fišerova. “We also prefer to keep the main surfaces, such as floors and walls, in soft, neutral colours, allowing light to play a central role in the overall composition.”

Ceramic products played an important part in the project, not just due to their technical properties (as in the wellness area and swimming pool) but also due to the wide range of available sizes, decorations and finishes. “In our opinion, ceramics can significantly influence the overall appearance of a space,” explained the architect. “This is not only due to the range of available sizes but also the surface treatment, colour and shape. As already mentioned, we sought to create a strong connection between the interior and exterior, for example through the use of large windows. Since we wanted the architecture and interior design to complement rather than overshadow the natural surroundings, we chose large ceramic tiles for the floors, a floral mosaic design for the pool, and neutral colours throughout. Working with NovaBell, a trusted, longstanding partner, was an important decision.”

The choice of ceramics also allowed the architects to adopt specific technical solutions, such as NovaBell’s stone-effect Norgestone collection with an R11 slip resistance rating for the swimming pool.

Given their long life cycle, ceramic surfaces also help to reduce the overall environmental impact of the project. Regarding the architects’ approach to sustainability, Květa Fišerova explained that their design strategy focused on a careful selection of materials. “We met ecological criteria primarily through the choice of long-lasting materials and sought to create timeless interiors by selecting high-quality products from trusted suppliers.”