Háskova vila Villa

Welcome to Jablonica over Nisa. Stop for a moment, take a breath and look in front of you. You are standing right in front of a building that is not just an ordinary house but a real jewel of Czech architecture. The Háskova vila stands before you. The first thing you're probably interested in is her dazzling white facade, which, in contrast to the surrounding area, has been pure, light and very modern, even though it's been standing in this place for decades. Notice her very unusual floor plan. If you looked at it from above, you'd see it's shaped like an L. This bold geometrical intention gives the whole object dynamism and unique character, which at that time was not at all common in our landscapes.

Let us now go back in time together to understand how this building came into being and why it is standing here at all. We're in 1929. That's when the inspiration that triggered the project was born. Wrocław, today's Polish Wrocław, hosted an exhibition where the design of the house was presented, which absolutely impressed the future owners of the villa. They were the husbands of Zdeněk and Jaroslav Haskov. This family wasn't just any family in Jablonica. Their lives have been closely linked to what is famous for Jablonec around the world, the production and trade of jewellery. Mr and Mrs Haskov specialised in exporting these beautiful ornaments abroad, which brought them not only funds, but also openness to new trends, travel and modern lifestyle. It is this desire for modernity and luxury, which, however, was not swamped but functional, that led to the hiring of an architect named Heinrich Lauterbach.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself. When you look at the line of the house, feel its fluidity. Háskova vila is one of the most significant examples of the so-called aerodynamic functionalism of the Vratislav School. What does that even mean? Funktionalism at the core says that the form must follow the function. Nothing here is useless, no unnecessary ornaments, no ice columns or made-up decorations. Everything has a purpose. You can see the aerodynamic element in those fine arches and smooth surfaces that give the building a sense of speed and movement, similar to modern machines or aircraft. It is the architecture of the future that should emit optimism and faith in progress. Look again at the white paint and the way the building spreads in space. It is an expression of freedom and purity, which in 1931, when the construction was completed, must have been absolutely revolutionary.

But this villa is not just about concrete and white, it is mainly the story of people. Jaroslav and Zdeněk Hasko here with son Rudolf built their home and empire. The villa was the center of their social life, a place where people from the business world met and where the Apple tradition was linked to international contacts. But the history of the twentieth century was cruel and full of violent breakthroughs. Let's move on to 1948. That was the year that changed the lives of thousands of people and the axes of many buildings. The villas were nationalized, which means the state took over regardless of the original owners. The Hask family lost their home and was forced to leave their country. They chose a journey very far, all the way to Canada, where they started again, hoping that one day they might return. Imagine that feeling where you have to leave the place you built with such love and vision, and you don't know if you'll ever see it again.

But this sad chapter of the story ended happily. After many decades, when the villa served other purposes and its original owners were only a distant memory, 1989 came. The fall of the regime and the change in the political system have brought about a remedy. The villa was returned to the original owners or their descendants. It was a moment of profound touch and justice. Zdeňka Hásková, who was one of the key persons of this place, lived out her days in her room and left the world in 2014. Her life was like the mirror of the history of this house, from the peaks of modernism to the pain of exile to the final return home.

Perhaps you are now interested in what lies the greatest mystery or interest of this place. Think about how powerful the Vratislav School of Architecture was then. Háskova vila is not only a local unique but is considered one of the most beautiful modernist villas in the Czech Republic. It is fascinating that one single visit to the exhibition in 1929 may have changed the shape of the Apple Quarter and left us with such a strong trail. Today, this building reminds us of a time when people believed that architecture could improve the quality of human life and that the world was heading towards greater light and openness.

Now that you're standing in front of this white wall, try to imagine what the villa looked like in 1931, when it was brand new, how the voices of the Hásek family sounded and how it smelled at the time. It's a place where a business genius meets, architectural courage and personal tragedy, which eventually turned into a triumph.

Now I'm leaving you to look at the facade in peace, perceive the atmosphere of this unique place, and maybe you took your own photos of this white pearl Jablonka. Go through the surroundings, feel the line of the house and be inspired by the courage of people who were not afraid to be modern at a time when many didn't understand. Thank you for accompanying me on this short journey through the history of Hásek's villa. I wish you a pleasant continuation in discovering the beauty of Jablonec above Nisou. Goodbye.