This bridge-like villa by Stempel & Tesař architekti floats atop a dramatic landscape

Nestled at the northern and western foot of Babka Hill, Černošice’s villa district is home to an array of striking, unique family homes that catch the eye as one approaches from Prague. With its roots tracing back to the early 20th century, the neighbourhood’s eclectic mix of architectural styles includes Art Nouveau and First Republic villas. Following the post-1989 revival, Černošice once again became a sought-after location for contemporary, standout residential buildings. The impressive scale and grandeur of the homes, each positioned on steep plots that provide dramatic views and a sense of elevation alongside lush gardens, set the district apart. Among these notable homes, Villa Sidonius by Czech architecture practice Stempel & Tesař architekti becomes a new offshoot of the area's unique blend of history and modern elegance.

The villa is perched on one of the steepest and highest sites in the neighbourhood—posing both opportunities and challenges for the architects. Positioned on the northern, shaded side of the terrain, the site offers a breathtaking view of the Berounka Valley, the hills of the Bohemian Karst and the distant Prague skyline. This panoramic vista prompted the architects to orient the living spaces to capture the view from the best possible angles. The northern slope also experiences limited sunlight for most of the day; the highest part of the property was the only area to receive direct sunlight, but this was difficult to access due to the incline. To overcome these constraints, the architects resorted to the concept of hanging houses. The resulting bridge-like structure, supported by pillars, allows the building to float above the terrain. This form, resembling a steel footbridge, optimises the northern views in tandem with harnessing the available southern natural light, all the while blending with the landscape and ensuring easy access.

"There was neither the space nor the desire to design a house using traditional methods; instead, the goal was to find solutions that would push the envelope and test the latest technological products and equipment on the market," reads the official release. The structural interventions conspicuous in the villa attest to the innovative approach taken by the architects, combining cutting-edge technology with experimental design. The residential design flaunts a prefabricated steel structure which consists of two key components: an external load-bearing framework made from HEB 300 profiles, which spans the 18-metre gap between the monolithic reinforced concrete pillars and an internal infill of IPE 160 profiles, offering support to the windows, roof and floors. This design ensures stability on the challenging terrain while creating a striking visual effect—a building floating above the natural landscape. Advanced solutions such as Swiss air-lux windows with patented air-assisted seals and a heating and cooling system using heat pumps maintain a comfortable indoor climate throughout the year, even in a house with low heat storage capacity.

The thoughtful and unique layout of the contemporary residence aims to ensure both privacy and convenience. Access to the building is provided via an underground tunnel from the garage, which also houses a studio and a fitness area. The tunnel leads to the base of one of the pillars, where an elevator transports residents to the main living area. Along the way, an intermediate stop grants access to a service room. At the heart of the home is a living room with an adjunct kitchen and dining area—a welcoming space for everyday living. The living area opens up to a south-facing terrace, which links the house to the lush terrain and the sunlit upper section of the garden, which features a swimming pool. The house's design is completed by a “bridge” that protrudes to divide the space into two distinct zones: the children's rooms on one end and the primary bedroom, complete with an en-suite bath and stunning views on the other.

The landscape design is realised in collaboration with landscape architect Vladimír Sitta, leading to the idea of a slate slope with birch trees—a singular solution that complements the overall residential architecture. Other design aspects, such as the pool design and related elements, culminated from the dialogue between the architect and the landscape designer.

Villa Sidonius stands as a testament to an experimental and collaborative creative process. Innovative design fuels a befitting response to a context that sets itself apart for unique approaches to architecture. The involvement of architects, along with a diverse team of specialists in crafting the building’s components, plays a key role in sculpting the vision. The owner’s active participation throughout the preparation and construction stages further enriched the design, ensuring that the final villa design was unique to personal needs and harmoniously integrated into its surroundings.