Who wouldn’t be captivated by the Kafkova vila? This charming villa whispers stories of a sculptor’s life and artistic endeavors. It stands before us a testament to early 20th-century architecture. Built between 1923 and 1924 the Kafkova vila was designed by Pavel Janák for the sculptor Bohumil Kafka. The villa’s rectangular design is simple yet elegant. It includes a ground floor entrance hall kitchen and dining area. Upstairs are bedrooms and a bathroom. A livable attic completes the space.
Notice the sculptor’s atelier attached to the west side. This ground-floor addition is equally rectangular. A large glazed window faces the street to the north. The lower part of this window curves smoothly into the slanted roof. Above the atelier’s window a flat roof creates a terrace accessible from the villa’s first floor.
The Kafkova vila’s exterior is remarkably understated. The simple red brick facade is enlivened by thoughtful details. These include window surrounds and cornices slightly projecting from the wall’s surface. These are accented by vertically laid bricks. The glazed atelier dominates this architectural composition. Its stepped roofline adds a unique touch. Other decorative elements include the entrance’s lintel a triangular ornament in the gable and the interesting chimney body.
Janák masterfully blended living and working spaces here. He was inspired by English and Dutch family homes built with red brick. This style was popular in the 1920s and frequently shown in Czech architectural journals. Bohumil and Berta Kafka’s marriage remained childless. Berta Kafka died in 1965. She bequeathed the villa to her caregiver whose family still owns it. An inscription above the main entrance reads “BOHUMIL KAFKA CZECH SCULPTOR LIVED HERE”. Above this inscription is a relief bust of the sculptor. In the garden stands a bronze sculpture of Orpheus created by Bohumil Kafka in 1922. The slightly larger-than-life figure leans back its head raised to the sky lyre in hand. The Kafkova vila was declared a cultural monument in 1958. The building underwent renovations after 1991. The atelier’s fragile glass structure was replaced.
The Kafkova vila is more than a house. It is a living museum. It breathes life into a chapter of Czech art and family history. It’s a place that evokes emotions. It makes visitors wonder about the lives lived within its walls.