The Chapel of St. Joseph in the village of Slavětín, nestled at the foothills of the Jestřebí Mountains, had fallen into disrepair following the displacement of the original German population after World War II. It was salvaged and “resurrected” by Rudolf Kasper, a successful businessman from Trutnov, and his wife Renata, who had settled in Slavětín. The objective was clear: not to regress to the past or create a replica of the original structure, but to design a unique contemporary exhibition and concert space within a minimalist architectural framework, respecting and harmonizing with the original building.
The interior is adorned with a wire art installation by sculptor Veronika Psotková, loosely inspired by the altarpiece of St. Joseph and the Baby Jesus. It evokes the renowned Baroque compositions of statues and paintings surrounding altarpieces, yet offers a completely fresh and playful interpretation. The newly landscaped surroundings of the chapel provide villagers and visitors alike with a tranquil resting place, offering views of artworks by the esteemed Czech sculptor Michal Gabriel.
Credits
Architecture
ATELIER TSUNAMI Ltd.; Michal Ježek, Ivo Balcar, Jan Řehák, Aleš Krtička
Client
Rudolf Kasper, Renata Kasperová
Year of completion
2020
Location
Radvanice, Czech Republic
Total area
85,3 m2
Site area
111 m2
Photos
Miloš Šálek
Project Partners
STAVEBNĚ DOPRAVNÍ TRUTNOV s.r.o.