The subject of this bachelor’s thesis is the design of a terraced family house for a four-member family located in Prague-Zbraslav.
An urban study of this area was developed as part of the bachelor’s thesis "Development Area of Family Housing, Prague – Zbraslav", authored by Bc. Veronika Moravcová. This thesis served as a foundation for the development of the present project.
The assignment includes the design of one model family house that will be replicated on additional plots within the defined area.
The simplified title of the thesis expresses both an acoustic experience and the primary architectural form. The main volume—referred to as "brick" in the title—represents an element that is immediately visible and evokes the image of traditional brick houses in the Czech Republic. The extension—referred to as “echoes”—emphasizes the sensory experience of audible rainfall or sunlight streaming through large glass windows.
The main entrance to the house is through this extension, which serves as a connector between the interior spaces and also enables a direct path through a “dirty” zone into the garden. This extension also acts as a visual focal point; it contains the staircase and a meditation space.
This space is intended for meditation and listening to the sound of falling raindrops. To enhance this experience, the roof is fitted with a metal covering, and large-format windows in the extension allow raindrops to visibly stream down their surface. In dry weather, sunlight will shine through these windows, enhancing the atmosphere and appeal of this open space.
The subject of this bachelor’s thesis is the design of a terraced family house for a four-member family, located in the municipality of Zbraslav. The bachelor’s thesis includes the development of an architectural study, selected parts of the project documentation at the level required for a building permit, and a concept for the technical building systems (MEP).
Foundations
The building is founded on a reinforced concrete slab with a thickness of 250 mm. Beneath the foundation slab is a layer composition including waterproofing and thermal insulation made of XPS boards laid on a concrete screed. The total depth of the foundation is 0.6 m.
Vertical Structures
Both exterior and interior vertical load-bearing structures are designed as masonry using the Porotherm system. The wall adjacent to the neighboring unit is designed as a monolithic concrete wall to accommodate the anchoring of the cantilevered stair treads. Another reason for this solution is to improve sound insulation from the adjacent house in this row housing.
The thicknesses of the masonry elements are detailed in the construction drawings and project documentation.
Horizontal Structures
The floor structures and the flat roof are designed using Porotherm beams and inserts, filled with concrete, with a total thickness of 250 mm.
Roof Structure
The pitched roof structure is composed of wooden rafters sized 160×100 mm, resting on the exterior walls via wall plates sized 120×120 mm. At the ridge, the structure is supported by a ridge beam and additionally braced with a collar tie. A detailed roof composition is provided in the construction drawings.
The flat roof is supported on one side by a welded steel I-beam, which also supports the ceiling system. This I-beam is concealed by a plasterboard ceiling. On the other side, the flat roof rests on a reinforced concrete wall.
Staircase
The staircase is designed as a cantilevered structure. Individual treads are embedded into the monolithic wall. Steel rods will be anchored into the wall, onto which wooden stair treads will be mounted.