beyond your map

In the late 1960s, architect Herman Hertzberger created the Diagoon houses in Delft, Netherlands, as experimental prototypes challenging traditional design norms. These homes, completed in 1971, allowed residents to shape and furnish spaces based on their needs, promoting user control. The design featured fixed cores and versatile living spaces, fostering openness and altering family dynamics. Despite initial criticism, the Diagoon houses proved successful over time, emphasizing sustainability in functional and cultural aspects. Today, they remain relevant amid housing challenges, inspiring ongoing experimentation and innovation in design and living.

In 1930, Hans Scharoun designed the Schminke House for Fritz Schminke, the proprietor of a pasta factory in Loebau, Saxony, Germany. Schminke sought a contemporary residence for his family of six, including accommodations for occasional guests. Recognized as Scharoun's paramount creation from the pre-World War II era, the design holds comparable significance to Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye and Mies van der Rohe's Tugendhat Mansion. The Schminke House stands as a modernist marvel, characterized by sleek lines, uncomplicated forms, and a focus on natural illumination and expansive interiors. Now functioning as a museum, the house welcomes visitors to personally experience the brilliance of Scharoun's architectural vision.

In 1919, amidst post-World War I upheaval in Germany, the Bauhaus emerged, combining fine arts and applied arts to reunite artists and craftsmen. The Haus am Horn, designed by Georg Muche and Adolf Meyer for a 1923 exhibition, exemplified Bauhaus principles. Intended as affordable housing, it featured a simple square plan with specialized rooms, emphasizing functionality. The living room, elevated and lit by clerestory windows, dominated the design. Bauhaus furniture, like the minimalist kitchen with efficient layout, reflected modernist ideals. Despite budget cuts, the Haus am Horn remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site, embodying Bauhaus design evolution.

Built in 1929 on the French Riviera, Villa E-1027 stands as Eileen Gray's architectural masterpiece. The two-story villa, designed by Gray herself, features a functional layout with bedrooms and communal spaces on the main floor and guest rooms, an art studio, and staff facilities on the ground floor. Gray meticulously crafted all the furniture, including iconic pieces like the Transat lounge chair and Bibendum armchair. Despite facing neglect post-war, a recent 15-year restoration project has preserved the villa's modernist essence, allowing visitors to experience it as it appeared in 1929, showcasing Gray's visionary design.

Designed by Alvar Aalto, the Maison Louis Carre is a significant residence, commissioned by French art dealer Louis Carre in 1955. With a white-rendered brick structure on a south-facing slope, it reflects influences from Frank Lloyd Wright and French farmhouses. The interior features a clear and cellular plan, including an entrance hall for art display, public spaces like the living room, study, and dining room, while private rooms are discreetly placed in the southern part. Covering about 450 m2, Aalto's attention to detail is evident with custom-designed furniture, creating a seamless blend between internal and external spaces. The Maison Louis Carre stands as a complete work of art.

The Cabanon de vacances, constructed in 1951, is a vacation residence designed and created by the renowned architect Le Corbusier. It holds a unique distinction as the only place the architect built for his personal use during vacations. In July 2016, this home, along with several other works by Le Corbusier, received recognition as the world's smallest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This cabin, crafted exclusively for Le Corbusier, served as his seaside retreat, providing a getaway from the hustle of Parisian city life, where he spent every August for 18 years. Constructed from wooden logs, the cabin was cherished by Le Corbusier for its idyllic location.

Adolf Loos' significant redesign in Pilsen is evident in Jan Brummel's home at 58 Husova Street. Originally a typical house with a Romantic Historicism-style façade, Loos transformed it radically between 1927-1929, achieving a modern architectural form. The valuable interior, especially the two-generation apartment for Jan and Jana Brummel, features unique built-in furniture and sophisticated design elements. Preserving Loos' distinctive style, the reconstruction, overseen by Professor Václav Girsa's team, allows visitors to explore the entire apartment, showcasing the innovative and well-preserved aspects of Loos' design.

Huib Hoste designed this three-story flat-roofed building in Flanders, adhering to the Dutch 'Stijl' movement principles. Originally built for Dr. De Beir, the structure showcases geometric purity and functionalism, with unique details like a yellow brick entrance and concrete window frames. The interior, restored in 1999-2000, features collaboration with artist Sevranckx, preserving original murals and built-in cabinets. Hoste's vision of a cohesive blend of color, function, and interior is evident, making the house a unique and excellent example of modern architectural beauty.

In 1936, Louis-Herman De Koninck designed the incredible "Paquebot" villa. This masterpiece of rationalist architecture stands out with its round windows, tubular railings, and a large window illuminating the staircase. The design, remarkably modern, remains relevant today. The volumes interlock harmoniously, creating a remarkable composition. Meticulously restored in 2008, the villa has regained all its former splendor.

Villa Beer, a notable work by Josef Frank and Oskar Wlach from 1929–1930, is a key example of Viennese residential culture in the interwar period. Despite its heritage protection since 1987, the house needs refurbishment. Commissioned for musical soirees in 1929, financial difficulties led to the Beers' early sale in 1932. After various ownership changes, the Villa Beer Foundation acquired the property in 2021 with plans to establish a public museum, following years of occasional tours and renovations in 2017.

Josef Volman, an industrialist and philanthropist, envisioned an impressive villa in Čelákovice overlooking the Labe River. Built in 1938-1939 by avant-garde architects Janů and Štursa, the villa is a prime example of Czech functionalism and Le Corbusier's influence. After changing hands post-1948, it fell into disrepair until a group of entrepreneurs purchased and meticulously restored it from 1996 to 2018, earning recognition for their efforts. Volman's villa, a unique blend of interwar modernism, pays homage to Le Corbusier and stands as a testament to Volman's industrial success and social responsibility.