Trmalova vila Villa

Trmalova vila, located in Prague Strašnice on street Villa 91 / 11, is a storey building built between 1902 and 1903 by architect Jan Koterou. This building represents the first realized project of the family house Kotěry in Prague and is one of the most important buildings there. The villa combines elements of English modern with Czech folk architecture, which makes it a unique example of the architectural sense of the time.

The emergence of the Trmal Villa is closely linked to the historical context of the early 20th century, when the transition from historism to modern architecture took place in Europe. Jan Kotěra, known for its ability to integrate elements of national identity into modern life, proposed this project for the director of the public business school František Trmal and his wife Rozena. The villa was built on the then periphery of the city, where the surrounding houses were built after World War II.

Architecturally, Trmalova vila is a single-storey with a distinctive roof decorated with details such as arches, chimneys, barbed shields and skylights. Towards the garden there is a balcony with carved and painted railing under the shield. There are inscriptions above the windows in the spirit of folk traditions, such as "Guest by bread, rude stick" and "Let us be true, good to each other." The interior is characterized by painted beam ceiling in the staircase hall, whose ornaments were designed by Kotěra himself. On the ground floor there was a kitchen with a dining room, a room for the maid and a salon, which originally followed the outdoor loggia towards the garden. After 1912, this ship was walled up and a winter garden was created.

After eight years of completion, in 1911, František Trmal sold the villa to Wálková's husbands. In 1945 the National Administration was announced above the building and in 1950 it became state property where they set up a cultural centre. After the Velvet Revolution, the property became part of the City of Praha 10. During the reconstruction between 1998 and 2001, the building was reconstructed and restored, which enabled its opening to the public from 1 April 1999.

Today, Trmalova vila serves as Kotor Center - a specialized study facility for home architecture researchers, with a small exposure to Jan Kotera's work. The building has a permanent exhibition of the originals of Kotor furniture production and the headquarters of the Kotor Centre of Architecture and Publishing FOIBOS BOOKS. The villa also works as a cultural, social and civic centre of Prague 10.

A gazebo was built in the garden of the villa with curved roads and ornamental shrubs during the reconstruction in 1999-2002 and a modern sculpture of the River by Ivan Jilemnický was placed. This building is now open to the public and offers a unique opportunity to explore the architectural and cultural wealth of Prague 10.

Trmalova vila is not only a monument to architecture, but also a witness to the history of the city and its transformation. Its visit offers a view of the lifestyle of the beginning of the 20th century and recalls the importance of integration of modern with national identity in Czech architecture. Exploring this important monument is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in the history and architecture of Prague.