vila Oskara Lea Sterna Villa

Welcome to Teplice over Bečva. You're standing in front of a building that is the real jewel of local architecture. Look at this object and perceive its purity and simplicity. In front of you is vila Oskara Lea Sterna, a building that radiates the peace, order and modernity of its time. The first impression that comes out of it is the impression of complete balance. You see a clear line and a light facade in front of you, which, in contrast to the surrounding area, looks very elegant. It is a house that does not seek unnecessary decorating, but seeks its beauty in true angles and functionality. Now let's stop a little bit at how this building was built and who was behind it. Let us move in time to the year one thousand nine hundred thirty-eight. At this time the villa was built for a man who held a very important role in the spa. It was Oscar Leo Stern, who was the head of the spa. So imagine that this house should be home to the person responsible for the health and well-being of many visitors to these places. It was designed by architect Karl Caivas, who inserted his vision of modern housing into the project. The whole construction process was fascinating at its speed. Imagine this whole house was built in just seven months. It was a very short time at the time, which suggests precise planning and effective implementation of the work. Now pay attention to the architecture itself and to what you see right in front of you. This villa is a typical representative of the style that emphasized the function and absence of unnecessary beauty. Notice her pure cubical impression. The whole building acts as a harmonious set of cubes. Look up on the roof. It is flat, which was at that time a bold and modern solution which completely denied the traditional slant roof of the houses at the time. Another very significant element is belt windows. Notice how they stretch the facade and allow the maximum amount of daylight to penetrate the wnętri. It's an architecture that breathes and communicates with the surrounding space. If you look down to the very foundation of the house, notice the detail in the plinth. A quarry stone was used here, which gives stability to the building while creating an interesting visual transition between the ground and the smooth bright wall of the house. The whole structure is designed as a reinforced concrete-embossed skeleton. This means that the house has a very solid internal structure that allowed it to have such bold shapes and a flat roof. It's a fascinating combination of the technical advances of the time and the aesthetic sensations of architect Karl Caivas. Now let's move on to the people who were connected to this place. As I mentioned earlier, the owner was a doctor Oskar Lea Stern. He was a man of his time who wanted to create an area consistent with his social standing and personal preferences. But history was cruel to the owner of this villa. Only two years after the completion of the house, in the year one thousand nine hundred forty, Oskar Lea Stern had to leave his country and emigrate to Mexico. Imagine the contrast. Two years ago, he was excited to build his dream home, and suddenly he had to leave everything and drive thousands of miles away into the unknown. This villa is not only an example of architecture, but it is also a silent witness to the dramatic breakthroughs and tragedies that accompanied the twentieth century. Now I want to impress you with one interesting thing that may not be visible at first sight, but gives the construction a deeper dimension. If you look at the overall composition of the house, you will see a strict style that is characteristic of modern buildings of that time. However, on closer examination of the exterior you will find that the architect here combined this strict approach with certain romantic details. It's kind of a gentle dialogue between reason and feelings, between machine and man. Another interesting fact is the financial side of the matter. The total cost of building the villa was four hundred four thousand two hundred eighty crowns. In the year one thousand nine hundred thirty-eight it was a substantial financial contribution, which confirms the high quality of the materials used and the exclusivity of the whole project. The villa thus survived decades and became part of the cultural heritage. Since the year one thousand nine hundred ninety-one, the object has been registered as a cultural monument, which means that the state recognises its irreplaceable value for our history and architecture. This is proof that good design and quality work will endure even the hardest trials of time and political change. If you look at this building again, you probably don't just see it as a white house with a flat roof. You see the story of an ambitious doctor, a vision of a modern architect, and a silent, distressed sadness of forced passage to distant Mexico. Feel the atmosphere of this place and try to imagine what the villa looked like on the day of its completion, when it was a symbol of a new beginning and modern life. Thank you for joining me to discover the beauties of Oscar Leo Stern's villa. I hope you're interested in this short trip to history and that you will take a sense of admiration for this unique construction. I now invite you to further explore the Teplice area over Bečva. Go through the surrounding space slowly, feel the calm of this place and be inspired by the purity of the lines that still stand before you. I wish you a pleasant journey and a beautiful day spent discovering our monuments. Goodbye.