To See and Honour the Genius Loci
www.posiv.cz ǀ 55
ARCHITECTURE
Záleží na tom, v jakém technickém stavu je budova
a její konstrukce, jestli „ustojí” potřebnou adaptaci
pro daný záměr – například zda krov unese větší za-
tížení novou zateplenou skladbou, pokud původní
střecha zateplena nebyla apod. A skrz tohle se pak
právě může ta cenová bilance otočit, protože musíme
v rámci adaptací udělat určitá opatření, jak té stavbě
pomoct, aby lépe fungovala a šla využít... například
se musí stěny dodatečně zateplit, odizolovat zespo-
da a někdy i skrz podřezání, to pak může vyjít o dost
dráž a složitěji než nová stěna z izolačního zdiva. Je
to vždy ke zvážení, posuzujeme to individuálně, co má
smysl – s ohledem na provoz, investici, historicky i es-
teticky. Je dobré si definovat, co tvoří charakter nebo
jedinečnost stavby – nějaké specifické detaily nebo
konstrukce apod. Obecně bývá z pohledu projektantů
nebo i investice jednodušší to staré zbourat, ale zase se
tím ztrácí ta vrozená jedinečnost a autenticita budovy,
kterou adaptace dokáže udržet. To adaptované pak
možná nemusí být úplně dokonalé, ale – musí být vždy
všechno dokonalé? Myslím, že nemusí.
Děkuji za rozhovor.
To See and Honour
the Genius Loci
Lenka Míková is one of the most remarkable gures in contemporary Czech architecture. With her
studio, she focuses on the sensive transformaon of historical buildings and their reinterpretaon
for modern use. This interview was conducted on the occasion of the PULSE conference at the
Gong venue in Ostrava, where Lenka gave a presentaon on reconstrucons and interior design.
How do you approach the heritage value
of buildings?
We always start with a site visit, followed by research
into the history of the building and its location. This
helps us understand the context in which it was
built—what purpose it served, who constructed it,
and how it was conceived. Sometimes, we commission
a professional architectural-historical survey, which
thoroughly examines available sources and records
to reveal the building’s original form and its subsequent
evolution. This allows us to identify which parts of the
structure are the most valuable, which elements are
later additions, and how best to treat those that have
already been altered. These insights then inform our
design decisions—it acts as a kind of guide for us.
This background is essential not only for buildings
that are officially protected as heritage sites, where
such analysis is required by conservation authorities,
but also for any project involving a historic structure.
The surveys may include various probes and tests. For
reconstructions, it is at the very least crucial to conduct
a structural and technical survey to assess the condition
of the building’s framework. In the case of cottages
or timbered houses, this is usually sufficient. It’s also
helpful to study the specifics of local vernacular
architecture, which can offer valuable insights into
the building’s development.
Alongside surveys, what’s equally essential is one’s
own perception—the ability to read context
and assess meaning. This is where the attentiveness
of the architect comes into play: building on the
research, interpreting it in light of the intended
design, and evaluating the possibilities and potential
of the structure. It’s not always necessary to follow
the survey’s recommendations to the letter.