Vila Františka Langera, Functionalist villa in Podolí, Czech Republic.
Vila Františka Langera is a three-story functionalist residence in Podolí featuring irregular floor plans and a flat roof with terrace. The pergola designed by architect Karel Honzík connects ground-floor living and dining areas with bedroom spaces and terraces on the upper levels.
Built in 1929, this house marks the rise of functionalism in Prague as modern architecture reshaped the city's development. It represents the wave of private residential construction that affluent citizens commissioned in Podolí during the early 20th century.
The villa represents how Prague's intellectual circles lived during the 1920s, when modern architecture became a symbol of cultured living. The integration of indoor spaces with garden and pool facilities shows how affluent residents of that era spent their leisure time.
The house sits on sloping terrain in Podolí, so sturdy footwear and stairs are needed to access it. The adjoining garden on the hillside offers different vantage points but requires careful footing as you explore.
The western facade with extensive single-pane windows shows the stripped-down design philosophy typical of functionalist architects. This deliberate rejection of ornament drives home the early modern lesson: beauty comes from usefulness, not decoration.
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