Vila Františka Maloty Villa

Vila Františka Maloty in Zlín is one of the best preserved villas built between 1941 and 1943. This construction of architect Vladimir Karfik represents an experimental combination of historical and modern architectural elements.

The building was created for František Malota, who worked as director at Bata and his wife Julia. The owner wanted a representative family residence and originally in 1938 he approached architect František Lydia Gahura. But his design in a functionalist spirit was too simple for the builder. The project was invited by Vladimír Karfík, from which the owner requested implementation in a porno style with elements typical of Zlín. The villa was located in the residential district of Lazy on the north slope near the forest. The construction permit was issued on 23 April 1941 and the approval was granted on 15 May 1943.

Thanks to the location in the slope, the street is two-storey, while the garden facade is three-storey. The construction consists of two basic materials. The larger southern part served as a husband's apartment, while the smaller northern part was intended for garages and personnel housing, which had its own running and staircase. The building is covered by a saddle roof with valmas and distinctive chimneys inspired by the so-called prairie houses of Frank Lloyd Wright.

The facade is handled untypically using a two-layer lime cement plaster. The upper layer was modified by a wide comb, creating a striations and a plastic surface. The symmetry of facades is disrupted by the rising elements such as the risalite of dining rooms and recreation or the roofing of the terrace on the south front. The unique details are corner laminated windows and skylights partially embedded into the masonry wall.

The ground floor interior opens a representative hall with a wooden rounded staircase. The common areas consist of an oval dining room, a living room with fireplace and library. These rooms are connected by sliding doors which allow the creation of a single space with an area exceeding 100 square metres. The space is complemented by covered and open terraces and corner windows. On the floor there are two bedrooms with a dressing room, boudoir and spa with access to balconies to the garden, while the street is oriented guest room. The basement has technical facilities, warehouses, driver's apartment and a common room designed for recreation or as a dance hall with direct access to the garden. There are two maid rooms on the floor above the ground floor.

The interior has preserved original elements such as built-in library furniture, wooden wall coverings, built-in showcases, frieze floors and bay windows with marble tiles. The original project included an outdoor pool which was later cancelled.

Mr. and Mrs. Malot lived in the house until 1950. František Malota was already released from the company for socialisation in March 1946. He was arrested in June 1951 and sentenced to six years in 1954. His property was confiscated and half of the villa became state property. The second half, which belonged to Julia Malot, was transferred to the State voluntarily in 1959. After confiscation, a children's home has been set up in the building since 1951, where up to 51 children were present at some time. Later, the facility changed character into a family-type home.

In 1991, half the house was returned to Julia Malot's niece as a restitution. This part was subsequently bought by the Regional Authority in Zlín in 2006, while the other half remained in the ownership of the city. In February 2007 the villa was declared a cultural monument. Between April and November of the same year, there was a total renewal, in which the exterior was returned to its original state, including a light ochre striped plaster.

There were several structural interventions during the reconstruction. Soil areas were adapted to rooms with bathroom and storage. The garage on the ground floor was converted into a study, kitchen and dining room. The library was changed to the office of the director of the Institute and a living room with a dining room for children. A window was newly installed in the dining room, which was in the original project but was not implemented. The former terrace was adapted to the winter garden. There are currently 16 children in the house divided into two families and the former driver's apartment serves as a separate starting apartment.

Vila Františka Maloty is a valuable witness to the architecture of World War II and the fate of the people associated with the development of Zlína. Its preserved interior and experimental exterior make an important point for all interested in modern architecture. We recommend visiting this monument as an example of the unique connection of functional times and individual requirements of the builder.