Vila Gočárova pro rodinu Sochorových Villa

Welcome to the Queen of Kings. Right now, you're standing in front of one of the most important architectural pearls in this city. Stop for a moment, take a breath and look around you. Before you is Villa Gočárov, who was built for the Sochor family. The first impression of this building is very strong and modern, although it has been standing in this narrow terrain for more than 90 years. Notice how the building naturally fits into the surroundings and how it is surrounded by garden greenery. You see in front of you a fascinating game of geometry. The dominant is a two-storey building in the shape of a cubus, which is stable and courageous. It is connected to a lower, single-storey part, and both of these different volumes connect the outer staircase. This whole set creates a unique rhythm, which is absolutely crucial to this building. In order to understand why this villa was created, we have to go back a little further in time. It all began in the year nine hundred and four, when Mr. Zdeněk Sochor founded a local weaving plant and printer in this city. Industrial expansion and success in textiles have brought prosperity and a desire for housing to the Sochor family, reflecting their social status and taste. Many years later, in the year one thousand nine hundred twenty eight, the famous architect Josef Gočár was commissioned to design a project of their family residence. Gočár was at that time one of the most prominent creators in our countries and his vision was to create a house that would not only be beautiful but, above all, practical. The construction was completed in the year one thousand nine hundred thirty and since then it has defined this piece of town with its presence. Now please focus on the architecture itself that you see right in front of you. This villa is a model representative of functionalism. This is a style that says that the appearance of a building must follow its function. Look at the overall layout of the house. Notice it's not symmetrical. The left side didn't match the right, which was a very modern approach at the time. Instead of old-fashioned ornaments and useless bullies, you will find clean lines and clear shapes. Pay attention to the windows. They are oblong, simple and spaced in such a way as to penetrate the interiors with maximum daylight. It is the light in this house that is Treating as a building material. If you look at the staircase connecting both parts of the villa, remember that architect Josef Gočár used very sophisticated vertical lighting here. He wanted the light to go deep into the house and make the space air and open. When we think about the people who were connected to this place, first of all we see the Sochor family, specifically Zdenek and Josef Sochor. It was people who believed in progress and modernity, which is reflected in every detail of this house. But the villa is not the work of just one person. Besides Josef Gočár, architect Josef Grus worked on the project. And we must not forget who turned these plans into concrete and stone reality. The construction was carried out by builder Karel Jarolímek, who had to write down all the details with precision in order to match the resulting effect to the strict vision of architects. But the history of the villa is not just the story of one wealthy family. After a year of nine hundred forty-five, the life of the house changed dramatically. With the advent of the new political system, the use of the building has changed. A private family home stopped being the Sochor residence and the object was taken over by the state. The building began to serve as a seat of the Forest Race and later the Children's House was located here. It's fascinating to imagine the atmosphere changing in these areas. The intimate family environment of the villa became a place of work and a place for childcare. Despite these changes and possible modifications in the interior, the building retained its dignity and architectural value. That is why in the year one thousand nine hundred fifty-eight it was officially declared a protected monument. This meant that the State recognised its special importance for Czech architecture and decided to protect it for future generations. You may be interested in one strange thing that makes this villa more than just an ordinary house. Notice again how the villa is put in the field. Architecture does not fight nature here, but cooperates with it. The use of the sloped land has allowed for the creation of a split into two parts, which are connected, but each has its own character. One part used to represent and live together, the other was more private. This game with space and height is typical of the best works of the time. The mystery can be for many how to feel cozy in such a strictly geometrical house. The answer is precisely the ingenious lighting and connection to the surrounding garden that wipes the border between the inner and outer world. Now that you know the story of this building, I suggest you slowly bypass the villa from the outside. Feel how the view of cubist shapes changes depending on where you're looking from. Try to imagine how in the year one thousand nine hundred thirty people looked at this house, which at that time had to be absolutely futuristic, almost like from another world. Take a look at the window details and watch how the staircase lines lead your eyes upwards. Vila Gočárova pro rodinu Sochorových is more than just a concrete construction. It is a monument to human ambition, industrial success and courage in architecture. It is proof that functionality may not be boring and that simplicity may be the highest form of elegance. Thank you for spending a moment with us at this beautiful monument. We now invite you to explore further the surroundings and discover other hidden corners of the Court of Kings over Labem. We wish you a pleasant continued journey and many new experiences. Goodbye.