One of the most beautiful and expensive residences of the First Republic was designed between 1938–1939 by young avant-garde architects Karel Janů and Jiří Štursa. The grand villa complex is an outstanding example of modern interwar living, showcasing the very best of Czech functionalism and the architectural ideals of Le Corbusier, who served as a key inspiration for the designers.
The Architects
Leading figures of the Czech interwar avant-garde, Jiří Štursa (1910–1995) and Karel Janů (1910–1995) were politically left-leaning and deeply engaged in the architectural scene even during their studies at CTU (Czech Technical University). In 1931, they co-founded the Architectural Work Group (PAS) together with Jiří Voženílek. As students of Karel Teige, they were strong advocates of the scientific approach to architecture and great admirers of Le Corbusier.
In the second half of the 1930s, they began to complement their rational approach with psychological and emotional aspects, influenced by Freudian psychoanalysis and Surrealism. Emotional and artistic elements began to emerge in their designs. The highlight of this period is Volman Villa (1938–1939) – the most notable shared project of the duo, a monumental building they later distanced themselves from after the Communist coup.
Professor Jiří Štursa taught at the Faculty of Architecture from 1948 and influenced generations of architects and theorists. Together with his wife, Vlasta Štursová, he designed the base and terraces for the Stalin Monument by Otakar Švec. Professor Karel Janů worked at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and focused on the industrialization of construction, culminating in his invention of the prefabricated housing core.
Architecture
Volman Villa is a rare realization of interwar modernism and an intentional tribute to Le Corbusier. It represents the culmination of modern architectural thinking and stands out for its synthesis of various European modernist movements. The architects clearly understood contemporary European trends and transformed them into a unique architectural gem. With its bold use of color and distinctive artistic concept, the villa is considered part of emotive functionalism.
The generous structure resembles a transatlantic ocean liner anchored on a hillside above the Elbe River. Sharp lines alternate with curved walls and organic details. Smooth, elegant surfaces contrast with traditional stonework and travertine cladding. The interiors boast a rich mosaic of luxurious materials, including various types of marble, chrome accents, and exotic woods. Terraces that extend outward evoke captain’s bridges, aesthetically and functionally connecting the villa to the surrounding landscape park.
In every season, the villa offers breathtaking views of the garden and surrounding countryside. Other distinctive elements include the roof terrace with windbreaks and garden beds, and a circular stone driveway in front of the main entrance.
Josef Volman
Josef Volman (1883–1943), founder of a machine tool factory in Čelákovice, was one of the most successful entrepreneurs of interwar Czechoslovakia. His personal success helped stimulate the economic and social growth of the entire region. A progressive thinker, Volman settled in Čelákovice in 1910 after studying in the United States.
After WWI, his company quickly grew and gained recognition not only in Czechoslovakia but across the global engineering market. Volman’s factory became one of the world’s leading manufacturers and exporters of machine tools, trading with over 30 countries. Sadly, he passed away prematurely in 1943, after which leadership of the factory was taken over by his daughter Ludmila and her husband Jiří Růžek.
Volman was also deeply committed to social responsibility. He invested both time and money into social projects and employee welfare. He tackled the issue of worker housing, built a colony of apartment buildings, founded the Volman Sports Club, and generously supported community life. During WWII, he also financially and materially supported both domestic and foreign resistance movements.
History of the Villa
Volman decided to build his luxurious modern villa as part of a larger industrial complex on the northwest edge of Čelákovice in 1937. Construction took place between 1938 and 1939, and he moved in with his daughter Ludmila. After the Communist coup in 1948, the estate was nationalized and transferred to the state-owned enterprise TOS Čelákovice. The villa was used for events, social functions, and from 1952 to 1990 operated as a kindergarten for the children of company employees.
The property was listed as a Cultural Monument in 1979, and a general renovation took place from 1980 to 1982 – unfortunately compromising the original interior. After 1990, due to unresolved restitution, the villa stood abandoned and deteriorating, with parts of the building threatened by collapse. Almost all furnishings, fixtures, and fittings disappeared due to vandalism and looting.
In 1996, a group of Čelákovice entrepreneurs bought the villa and launched an ambitious project to restore the building to its original form. Continuing Volman’s legacy, the restoration was entrusted to TAK Architects, led by architect Marek Tichý, with work lasting until 2018.
This effort was recognized with the Jury Prize for Sensitive Restoration at the Building of the Year 2016 competition. In 2020, the monograph “Volmanova vila – The Jewel of Interwar Architecture” (authors: Jolana Tothová, Marek Tichý, Radomíra Sedláková, Magdalena Kurfürstová, published by Argo) was released, documenting over 15 years of efforts to restore this architectural treasure.
In September 2022, Volman Villa joined the prestigious ICONIC HOUSES international network and officially opened to the public for tours.
ICONIC HOUSES
Volman Villa is a proud new member of ICONIC HOUSES, a global network that connects architecturally significant 20th-century homes and studios that are open to the public. The villa is now recognized as a modernist icon, representing the Czech Republic on the global map of modern architecture - iconichouses.org
Tour Volman Villa
Experience-based accommodation at Volman Villa
Come see this reborn architectural gem for yourself. Tour dates and tickets available [here].
You can also gift a villa tour through a gift voucher – a unique present for any lover of architecture and design.
