Garden Pavilion in Prague by Byró Architekti

The small garden pavilion by Byró Architekti is located in a garden colony near the Vltava River in Prague. The building, with a footprint of 3 x 5 m and a height of just under 5 m, serves as a quiet retreat for a Czech family in the middle of the city.

Pavilion with a minimal footprint

The architects' brief was to build a new 20 m² pavilion on the foundations of the original, dilapidated gazebo. The family uses the building mainly for outdoor leisure activities and insisted on two functions: The pavilion should be used for occasional overnight stays in bad weather and during the summer months, as well as for storing plants in winter.

Wood and polycarbonate construction

The two-storey pavilion is constructed of spruce wood. The dark Shou Sugi Ban façade acts as a natural insect screen, is weather resistant, sustainable and low maintenance. The front can be fully opened by a folding wall of polycarbonate panels. The mechanism for folding the panels consists of steel cables, pulleys and counterweights. This construction seamlessly connects the interior to the exterior. In bad weather, the polycarbonate wall also acts as a protective roof, allowing you to stay outside.

Minimalist interior

The interior is also predominantly wood, with individual walls plastered. On the back wall of the pavilion is a long bookshelf with a ladder to the upper floor. Small side windows and a skylight, combined with the folding wall of polycarbonate panels, flood the interior with daylight. This makes the interior feel bright and cosy even when closed.

The garden pavilion uses a photovoltaic system to generate electricity for basic needs and lighting. It is not connected to the grid. This sustainable approach reflects the family's connection with nature.