Today, the surrounding mountains are primarily associated with sports and tourism. In the past, however, they were the foundation of the local economy. Mountain streams powered the hammer mills, where iron products were forged and shaped. This process became the inspiration for the form and materiality of the new apartment buildings in Velké Hamry.

On the footprints of the original buildings, we place an “endless” strip of raw iron. It rests on a partially recessed lower ground floor, creating a level change from the street. In this form, the mass acts as both a visual and physical barrier within the site. The next step is to cut the iron strip into smaller “ingots.” These respond to the existing plot divisions and circulation routes, with some volumes slightly shifted to improve the overall composition.

While the iron is still glowing hot, the defining features of the buildings are forged. Simple rectangular volumes are shaped with pitched roofs that respond both to the spatial requirements of each house and to the character of the surrounding architecture.

In the final stage, the mass transforms into residential buildings. Beneath the hardened, cooled shell of the iron ingots lies a warm wooden core. The shell is cut away in selected places, revealing windows and timber loggias, creating a dialogue between the robust exterior and the welcoming living spaces within.

Project Size
Site area: 1,785 m²
Total gross floor area (GFA): 3,575 m²
Above-ground gross floor area (GFA): 2,415 m²