Obnova funkcionalistické vily Wittal v Brně

Idea projektu

The subject of the assignment is the functionalist villa Wittal in Brno, built in 1932 based on the design by architect Heinrich Blum. The villa, located in the residential district of Pisárky, represents a significant example of interwar architecture and is registered as a cultural monument. Originally a private residence of the Wittal family, it was nationalized after 1945 and used for residential purposes. The current project aims to restore the villa and repurpose it as the ŠTETL Center for Jewish Culture, which will serve educational, cultural, and community functions. The remaining authentic elements—such as original openings, floor tiling, metalwork details, and interior furnishings—will undergo fully heritage-protected restoration, preserving the historical value of the building. The villa’s new function will connect cultural heritage with contemporary societal needs, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the site as a vibrant center of Jewish culture. The heritage restoration will focus on preserving original features within the context of the building’s new use, creating a harmonious blend of history and the modern requirements of a cultural institution. In this way, Villa Wittal will gain a new role as a place of gathering, learning, and dialogue—commemorating not only the story of its original inhabitants but also the broader context of Jewish identity in Brno.

Popis projektu

The renovation of the functionalist Wittal Villa in Brno is based on a respect for the historical values of the building and its surroundings. The urban structure of the Pisárky district remains unchanged – all interventions are focused solely on the villa’s plot and reflect both historical context and the current needs of the building’s new function. The main emphasis is placed on clarifying and restoring relationships within the site, including the renewal of the original gravel path, terraced garden, and the overall landscaped character of the area. The garden undergoes significant revitalization – in addition to the restored terraces, which allow for outdoor cultural events, a Jewish sukkah is placed on the site as both a symbolic and functional element of community gathering. The existing swimming pool is preserved and newly conceived as a natural biotope, supporting the ecological function of the site and local biodiversity. The architectural approach honors the original expression and values of the functionalist building. New elements – such as a discreetly integrated elevator – enable full accessibility without disrupting the interior composition or the authenticity of the original features. The façade has been restored to its original soft beige tone, intentionally avoiding the disruptive use of white, thus reinforcing the aesthetics of restrained elegance. Red was deliberately chosen as a unifying and identifying element in the renovation. This is not a random decision, but the result of an intentional effort to connect new architectural interventions with the villa’s original aesthetic and material palette. The distinctive red paving, preserved in the winter garden and on the villa’s terrace, became the starting point for the color scheme of new entrances, furniture, and minor architectural elements. A key principle of the design was not to add arbitrary layers, but to create new features that organically emerge from the context. Red thus serves not only as an aesthetic accent but also as a bearer of continuity—connecting old and new, historical and contemporary. In this way, visitors are subtly guided to distinguish between original and new, without disrupting the authenticity or architectural integrity of the villa. The chosen shades and extent of red use were carefully considered to ensure the new interventions are clearly legible yet natural and dignified. The result is a visually and symbolically strong connection between the building’s various historical phases and uses. The villa is reimagined as a multifunctional Jewish cultural center named ŠTETL, offering a café, library, exhibition and lecture spaces, and a fully equipped kitchen for cooking classes. The building operates across three fully utilized floors: the basement houses staff facilities, storage, and workshop rooms; the ground floor includes the café with a permanent exhibition and direct access to the garden; the upper floor contains the library, lecture hall, and a multifunctional exhibition space. An integral part of the project is an artistic intervention – a mosaic installed in the wall of the English courtyard. It fills a newly created architectural opening and acts as a symbolic window into Jewish culture and the spiritual layer of the site. Its theme refers to the birkot ha-nehenin – blessings recited before enjoying food or pleasant scents – which express gratitude in Judaism. The composition follows the golden ratio curve, with the depth of individual modules gradually shifting to create a subtle relief and an interplay of light and shadow. This visual rhythm emphasizes the spiritual dimension of the space and connects visual, spatial, and symbolic aspects of the design. All new architectural additions are clearly distinguishable, yet sensitively respond to the original character of the building. Materials and colors are derived from the preserved interior – with red acting as the unifying element that links historic and contemporary features. The overall approach aims to create a harmonious relationship between old and new, with a focus on long-term sustainability, public openness, and cultural continuity.

Technické informace

The villa’s structural system remains in very good technical condition and does not require any major structural interventions. The load-bearing elements are stable and show no signs of damage or deterioration. The roof structure is intact, and there is no water infiltration into the building. However, the design includes the restoration of the roof terrace, which will require minor structural adjustments at roof level, primarily concerning layering and drainage. All original building components – such as windows, doors, and other joinery elements – have been preserved in full and without structural damage. From a heritage perspective, their replacement is neither possible nor desirable, so they will undergo careful restoration to preserve the building’s authenticity and historical value. New structural additions introduced as part of the current renovation have been designed with an emphasis on durability and technical reliability. Interior partitions are constructed using modern masonry blocks, ensuring precision and acoustic comfort. The elevator shaft was built as a reinforced concrete monolith, providing maximum load-bearing capacity and execution accuracy. All new interventions respect the original structural system and do not compromise the overall character of the building