Baba estate

In 1928 architect Pavel Janák, who was also President of the Czechoslovakian Werkbund, designed several urban areal patterns for a Werkbund estate at the edge of Prague. Four parallel streets were built along the contour lines, which enveloped chessboard-style private parcels commanding views of the city. A variety of individual villas were built for members of the upper class and without regard for social aspects.

An attempt to stage a student competition to design the last row of plots failed. The economic crisis of 1933/34 resulted in the cancellation of other plans for a studio house, sports pavilion and café.

A total of 33 buildings were constructed between 1932 and1936, twenty of which were completed for the autumn 1932 exhibition.

The Baba estate is an interesting example of architecture of the inter-war period, particularly in its sense of proportion and urban and landscape design. Unlike other Werkbund estates, these houses were not a ‘manifesto’ for an architectural movement, but resulted from the dialogue between architect and contractor. For this very reason, Baba influenced the spread of functionalism, not only in Czechoslovakia but internationally (Romania, Yugoslavia, Scandinavia).

All the dwellings have been preserved, are privately owned and, from 1993, are under heritage protection law.