Vzorový rodinný dům Vítek House

Welcome, Mr. and Mrs., to you are standing in front of one of the most interesting monuments of Zlína - Vizek family house. This unique house welcomes you here with its magnificent functionalist architecture, which represents an exceptional example of international design thinking from 1935. You will see it built in a style that still reminds today of the time when new forms of living were being sought and when architecture touched the real life of man.

This house was created as part of the experimental colony U Lom, which was the result of an international architectural competition announced by Bata. Competitors tried to find innovative solutions for family housing, and Vitek was one of their winning designs. In 1935, only two months after the start of the competition, this project was completed and prepared for the purposes of the International Congress on Housing Culture, which was held here. The collapse of the building took place in September of the same year, which marked its official beginning as an important architectural monument.

The architecture of this house is straightforward and clean, which is typical of functionalism. Notice its facade, which resembles horizontal lines and clone shapes that act as a bridge between the past and modern epoch. The house is a twin house - each part is designed for a different purpose, which reflects the idea of extending family life to space. The internal area is a threshold for visitors, but outdoor elements such as gardens or terraces are also an important part of its concept. Observe how light is played on the walls and what type of windows are - these are windows that remind you of the importance of light and mobility in the architecture of the time.

This house is connected with several key personalities that are at the heart of this project. Antonín Vítek, Zlín architect, who was in the construction department of Bata, was its main designer. His concept was also supported by other leading thinkers such as Jan Antonín Baťa, whose company financially and creatively supported new ideas. Other architects and thinkers such as Dominik Čipera, František Lýdie Gahura, Bohuslav Fuchs, Pavel Janák, Pavel Janák, Dušan Jurkovič and of course Le Corbusier, whose influences can be felt in this particular project.

The interesting thing is that Vitek was just one of many winning projects that were implemented in June 1935 for the purposes of the International Congress on Housing Culture. This congress was one of the first international meetings to discuss how architecture can contribute to the quality of human housing. And while other projects from that time died or survived only as a monument, Vitek survived today thanks to his unique design and symbolic significance.

Now, as you walk through this house, let yourself see its atmosphere. You feel the time when a new one was being sought, when the house was becoming a place of social dialogue. Notice how the structure of the houses complement each other and what kind of facades are - the facades that resemble purity and a clear language of functionalism. If you look down, you'll also see gardens that were planned as part of the overall concept - a place where people could look at nature and feel like a part of something bigger.

What's even more interesting is that this house was put on the list of real cultural monuments in 1983. This means that its importance is recognised not only as an architectural creation, but also as a symbol of a historical process that changes human relations to space and to itself.

Let's move on and look at its detailed elements. If you look at the roof, you'll see that its shape is as clean as the structure itself. The facades are covered with simple lines that resemble horizontal and vertical parts of the house. Notice how light moves through the walls during the day - this is an important element that the architects of the era often used to create a dynamic environment.

This house is also an example of how architecture could become an instrument of social change. At a time when people were trying to find a new way to live after the First World War, this project represented a legacy to the future. And although the house originally served as a model for family housing, today its value is rather historical and cultural.

If you want to learn more about how this house was created and why it was so important, you can look inside - if it is open to the public. At least from the outside, you can experience the feeling that you're part of something that goes beyond home itself.

Thank you for coming to this visit. We hope that you have reached this important historical moment and that Vzorový rodinný dům Vítek will leave you with a lasting impression. We will also invite you to explore other sights around - Zlín is full of interesting places to enrich you with new stories and insights. When you dare to take the next step, if you are not alienated - this architectural monument will certainly let you think about what a perfect living might look like.

When you're ready, proceed towards further exposure or think about its shapes for a while. When we get back to the launch, we'll be here to reinvite you to explore. Thank you for your attention and have a nice day!