Rodinný dům Heřmana Konejla Willa

Welcome to Pilsen, Part Jižní Předměstí. Right now, you're standing in front of a building, which, with its appearance, is significantly protruding from the surrounding building. In front of you is the family home of Høman Konejel, a beautiful villa that stands on the corner of Erbenov and Zizkov. If you look at her for the first time, you might be interested in her purity and simplicity. It's a building that doesn't scream with decorating, but it speaks in its form. Feel the harmony of light tones and high lines that create the impression of modernity even after many ten years. It's a place where one man's personal history meets with the courageous architectural mind of his time.

Now let's go back a little bit in time to understand how this house was created. Imagine Pilsen between two world wars. It was a period of great change, new optimism and desire for modernization. It is in this atmosphere, in the autumn of the year thousands of the 19th century, that construction work began on this house. The whole building was completed very quickly, as early as the summer of the year thousands of devystic thirty-first. Home was not intended for ordinary citizens, but for Herman Konel, who at that time held an important role as director of a private business school. It was common at that time that people in such positions wanted to express their social status and taste through their housing. This house should not only be a practical home, but also a symbol of progress and education.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself. Look carefully at the shapes of the building. Notice how strictly rectangular shapes rule. Nothing here is random, everything has its order and logic. The facade is smooth and bright, which gives the whole object ease and airiness. This style, which we now know as functionalism, emphasized that the form followed the function. This means that the house should be primarily practical and healthy, with plenty of light and space. The architect of this work was Václav Neckář, who was able to translate the needs of his client into this elegant geometric warehouse. Walk through the eyes of the entire facade and see how clean lines of roofs and walls intersect with the surrounding space. The whole project is not only about the house itself, but also includes a garden that forms a natural frame for this architectural demonstration.

When we think about the personalities associated with this place, Heřman Konejl represents a typical representative of then Pilsen intelligence. As director of a business school, he had to be organized, precise and future oriented. It is these qualities that mirror in the form of his villa. It is fascinating to think about how everyday life was taking place in these areas, how lessons were planned here for students or how he rested here after a busy day at work. The house thus served as a silent witness to the transformation of the city and its inhabitants after more than 90 years.

Now I want to impress you with one detail that is truly special about this house. As you probably noticed, the building is almost entirely formed by lines and right angles. It's fascinating how strictly the architect followed this rule. But there is one single element that deviates from this order. If you look at the north side of the building, you'll see a half-circle staircase exit. It is this round shape that is the only place where the rectangular is broken. It's a small but significant detail that relieves the house of total rigor and gives it a certain dynamic element. It's almost like a little architectural joke or a deliberate accent to attract attention.

This villa in Pilsen is truly unique. While many similar buildings from that time were demolished or inappropriately rebuilt, this house remained in its essence. That's why in the year two thousand one was officially declared a protected monument. It is one of those insatiable representatives of its style in our city, and its protection guarantees that future generations will be able to admire the courage of Václav Neckár and the taste of Herman Konejel. So you're standing in front of a piece of history that tells us about a time when it was believed in pure form and modern life.

I suggest you now take a moment to watch the light and shadow game on the light facade and try to imagine what this corner of the streets looked like almost a century ago. Feel the contrast between the quiet calm of the garden and the dynamic of the city space. Once you feel that you have seen this house sufficiently, you can continue your journey along the Southern Suburb and discover other hidden pearls of Pilsen architecture. Thank you for taking a walk at this beautiful house and wish you a pleasant rest of the day in our city.