Rothmayerova vila Family house

Rothmayerova vila in Prague 6 is an important monument to Czech interwar architecture from 1928-1929. The construction was designed by the architect Otto Rothmayer in the style of classicizing modern as his family house. The building is listed in the list of cultural monuments of the Czech Republic and in the international catalogue Iconic Houses, which collects extraordinary works of world architects available to the public.

The villa was built during the first republic, when modernism flourished in Czechoslovakia and in Europe the directions of functionalism and new classicism were established. Otto Rothmayer, student of Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik, designed the house for himself and his wife, textile artist Božena Rothmayer. The proposal is influenced by the Mediterranean traditions and specifically by Plennik Ljubljana Villa Stadium.

The two-storey structure combines simple geometric elements of the block and cylinder. The cylinder is located in a spiral staircase, its top is a small rectangular room serving as a winter garden and entrance to the flat terrace. Interiors are not extensive, but they excel in precise craftsmanship of wooden equipment and details. An important element is the connection of the house with the porch and garden with the pool. Otto Rothmayer designed not only the house and interiors, but also the garden, fencing and outdoor furniture. Božena Rothmayerová, a promoter of modern lifestyle, has also been involved in creating the garden.

The Rothmayer family lived in the villa until 2008. The house was never expropriated, which allowed many original elements to be preserved and minimized building interventions. In 2008, Jan Rothmayer's son sold the villa to the city of Prague on condition of total reconstruction and public access.

The villa was the centre of social life and often visited by friends, among which were the photographer Josef Sudek, sculptors Bedřich Stefan and Hana Wichterlová or glassmaker René Roubíček, whose vases are located in the garden. Josef Sudek has taken valuable photo documentation of the garden, which he published under the name Magic Garden. Photo of the interior was taken before the reconstruction, which was presented in 2011 and 2012 at the Rothmayerka exhibition in Kladno. In the garden grows the ash gassed, which the architect planted in 1930 and in 2019 was declared an important tree.

A three-year reconstruction of 23 million crowns removed building defects, such as the draining of the terrace and moisture on the underground floor, and restored the original plaster, wiring and wood and metal elements. The villa was restored from the turn of the 1950s and 1960s. Today it serves as a home museum with a permanent exhibition Story of one house and one family. Tours with a lecturer's interpretation are possible on the basis of a reservation and often associated with a visit near the standing Müller villa.

Rothmayerova vila presents a unique synthesis of architecture, interior and garden art. Her visit offers an insight into the personal style of Otto Rothmayer and the influences of Josip Plečnik.