Ovenecká 33, designed by Objektor Architekti and brought to life through the creative vision of Tereza Porybná, challenges traditional notions of architecture by pushing the boundaries of public and private spaces. This Prague-based apartment complex not only serves as a home but also as an ever-evolving art installation and communal space.
Ovenecká 33 Technical Information
- Architects1-4: Objektor Architekti
- Creative Concept: Tereza Porybná
- Location: Ovenecká 33, Prague, Czech Republic
- Topics:
- Area: 209 m2
- Project Year: 2021 – 2023
- Photographs: © BoysPlayNice
I knew right away that I wanted to create a space that was shared, open, and permeable, while still containing hidden corners and secrets. A space where you never have to return along the same route. A space that is distinctive, yet always changing, like a gallery or theatre stage, or like me.
– Tereza Porybná
Ovenecká 33 Photographs
The Creative Mind: Tereza Porybná
Tereza Porybná, the creative force behind the project, embarked on this architectural journey with the intention of blurring boundaries. Inspired by the works of architectural giants like Luis Barragán, Valentina Schlegel, and Bijoy Jain, Porybná envisioned a space that’s both open and private, filled with hidden corners and “materialized childhood dreams.” By incorporating elements like a home throne, a cave-like kitchen, and a secret library doorway, Ovenecká 33 became an eclectic blend of imagination and design.
Objektor Architekti approached the project with an empty canvas—a two-hundred-square-meter area framed by the remnants of a historic building and a modern concrete skeleton. Viewing the reconstruction as “living scenography,” the architects conceived the apartment as a stage where scenes unfold according to the mood of its inhabitants.
The spatial arrangement can be understood in three main segments: communal spaces, a residential studio, and the owner’s private bedroom. These segments are not rigidly separated but are fluidly connected, enabling a seamless flow of energy throughout the apartment.
Stucco, elmwood, floor screed, and concrete are strategically used to emphasize embedded artifacts and create a dynamic environment. The materiality of these elements serves as the perfect backdrop for the terrazzo composition that dominates the main communal space, as well as the stucco drinking fountain and built-in throne that marks the entrance.
The architects pay special attention to the role of light and atmosphere. Sunlight’s varying angles throughout the day, in conjunction with the wall’s stucco patterns, contribute to an ever-changing ambiance. Further, a stained-glass window in the studio bathroom transforms the starkness into a play of colorful reflections.
Ovenecká 33 stands as a testament to what can be achieved when architecture embraces change and cross-disciplinary creativity. As it serves as both a home and a workspace for residential artists, an exhibition space, and a social gathering hub, it manages to fulfill the complex agenda set out by its creators—Tereza Porybná and Objektor Architekti. Far from being a static construct, this apartment is an ongoing dialogue between architecture, art, and the human experience—forever changing yet eternally timeless.
Ovenecká 33 Plans
Ovenecká 33 Image Gallery
About Objektor architekti
Formed in 2017 by students from the Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design in Prague, Objektor has evolved into a versatile architecture firm that handles a wide range of projects, from small-scale objects to large architectural assignments. Committed to a collaborative approach, the team treats clients as creative partners, paying close attention to the unique essence of each project to push design boundaries. Objektor offers a comprehensive suite of services that encompass the entire design lifecycle, from concept development to detailed drawings, construction supervision, and assistance in securing building permits and other requisite documentation.
About Tereza Porybná
Tereza Porybná is a multi-faceted creative producer, visual anthropologist, and curator with a rich background that spans from serving as the program director of the One World Festival to humanitarian work in Ethiopia and a six-year tenure as director of the Czech Centre in London. She has collaborated with renowned institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and teaches art management at the Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague. In 2022, Porybná founded Ovenecká 33, a multifunctional art and residency space where she not only organizes art residencies but also conducts yoga classes and plans exhibitions. A polymath at heart, she delved into tarot reading during the COVID-19 lockdown and currently finds joy in the simple act of planting seeds and nurturing them to growth. Her current focus is on “Woods,” an interdisciplinary project exploring the convergence of art, ecology, and neuroscience.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Design Team: Jakub Červenka, Václav Šuba, Vojtěch Šaroun
- Main contractor: KKS Building
- Built-in furniture: Simply Cotto
- Terrazzo realization: Olexton
