Project Declaration
Project Title: Living Heritage: Zahrádky Castle Reimagined

Context & Background:
Zahrádky Castle, a structure rooted in Czech history and architectural identity, presents a rare opportunity to transform a culturally significant site into a multifunctional public space. Severely damaged by fire yet rich in memory, the castle and its surrounding structures—including the orangery, farmhouse, custodian house, and parklands—call for a sensitive yet forward-looking intervention.

Project Idea:
The core vision of this proposal is guided by the concept of “Living Heritage” — the idea that architecture should not be frozen in time, but continually evolve through use, memory, and community interaction. Rather than restoring the castle as a static monument, this design reimagines it as a dynamic and layered environment—a place for academic exchange, cultural gathering, and quiet habitation.

Design Goals & Objectives:

Preserve and respect the architectural essence of all heritage structures while making them accessible, safe, and relevant for contemporary users.

Activate the castle interiors with conference spaces, hotel-style accommodations, and curated public zones that support exhibitions and informal interaction.

Reprogram associate buildings—the farmhouse as a cultural gateway with a café and information center, the orangery as an intimate venue for concerts and community events, and the custodian house as a quiet residence for visiting faculty or artists.

Integrate sustainability and reversibility in all new insertions through the use of lightweight, eco-conscious, and non-invasive materials.

Preserve and subtly animate the historic park by maintaining its paths, green structure, and art, while supporting occasional events and everyday leisure.

Conclusion:
This proposal envisions Zahrádky Castle not only as a preserved structure but as an active, meaningful public realm—where history, nature, culture, and learning converge. “Living Heritage” is a commitment to sustaining the past by allowing it to grow, breathe, and serve future generations.

Scope of the Project Solution

This project addresses the conceptual redevelopment of the Zahrádky Castle premises, transforming a fire-damaged Baroque heritage site into a vibrant, multifunctional center for academic, cultural, and community life.

The proposal includes:

Adaptive reuse of the main castle building, preserving its external form while redesigning its interior layout to house a 100-seat lecture hall, two smaller seminar rooms, a public exhibition space, a restaurant, and 3-star accommodation for up to 120 guests.

Reprogramming of the farmhouse as a municipal information center with a small village history exhibit and a public café opening into the central courtyard.

Conversion of the orangery into a flexible venue for community events and cultural programs, including concerts, readings, and seasonal gatherings.

Activation of the custodian house as a residence for visiting faculty, artists-in-residence, or researchers, with private suites, common workspaces, and service areas.

Subtle landscape integration, maintaining the historical layout of the park, pathways, and sculptures, while enhancing usability with seating, lighting, and native vegetation.

All proposed interventions follow a lightweight, reversible, and sustainable strategy, using locally sourced materials, energy-efficient systems, and minimal structural disruption. The design upholds both the heritage value of the site and its evolving function as a modern institutional and community space.

Technical Specifications of the Project

1. Site Area & Existing Structures

Total site area: approx. 73,573 m²

Castle footprint: approx. 2,105 m²

Other buildings: Orangery, Farmhouse, Custodian House — preserved and adapted

Heritage Status: All buildings and the park are listed cultural monuments; external character to be preserved.

2. Structural Intervention

All structural reinforcements (roof trusses, vaults, load-bearing walls) to be carried out using reversible methods and non-invasive anchoring where possible.

Damaged floors and roofs reconstructed using engineered timber and lime-cement composites in accordance with conservation protocols.

Internal partitions made of lightweight metal frames with recycled board cladding, allowing future removal or reconfiguration.

3. Materials & Finishes

Walls: Exposed stone and lime plaster; internal insulation with breathable natural cork boards.

Floors: Locally sourced sandstone, oak timber, and clay tiles for thermal mass and historic continuity.

Windows/Doors: Restored wooden fenestration with low-emissivity double glazing.

New Additions: Steel and glass with powder-coated frames in matte tones, clearly differentiated from historic elements.

4. Building Services

HVAC: Energy-efficient air handling systems with heat recovery (VRF system), discreetly routed through service shafts.

Water supply: Connected to municipal lines; rainwater harvesting tanks integrated into landscape zones.

Sewage: On-site treated greywater reuse for landscape irrigation.

Electricity: Smart low-voltage lighting system; solar panels integrated into non-visible roof planes.

5. Accessibility & Fire Safety

All public and guest areas are barrier-free and compliant with EU accessibility standards.

Fire-rated stair cores and concealed sprinklers installed per code without altering the façade or heritage interiors.

6. Sustainability Measures

Passive design strategy: Thick masonry walls used for thermal buffering; natural ventilation through operable windows and courtyards.

Use of recycled materials, low-VOC finishes, and locally manufactured components.

Energy use minimized through smart lighting, occupancy sensors, and zone-wise environmental controls.