Clementine House

Clementine House in Český Krumlov on the banks of the Vltava River

Pension Clementine, set on the banks of the Vltava River in Český Krumlov, is an inward-looking world that offers a natural place for rest and invites you to slow down. Tranquility is the fundamental quality of its space. From the original guesthouse in a former farm building dating back to the late 18th century, the new design preserves only authentic elements—exposed beams and stone walls. The contemporary layer is honest and functional, working with material and light as the primary carriers of atmosphere. Each apartment maintains a direct relationship with its surroundings, with views of the river as well as the terraces of the newly composed garden with a swimming pool.

The investor, Anna Gášpárová, sought to create a place in Český Krumlov where she herself would enjoy spending time—defined by a high-quality interior, a deeply personal atmosphere, and surrounded by art. For the complete renovation of the guesthouse, which she and her husband acquired in 2019, she approached architects Lucie Němcová and Tereza Komárková, with whom she shares a close connection. This all-female team was gradually expanded to include a site manager and a landscape architect, and this synergy gave rise to spaces that sensitively interweave fragments of original historical elements with a new functional layer. The contemporary insertions are elemental in form, yet thoughtful and generous in their execution. The intention was to create a clean, fundamental “canvas” for future artistic interventions and for life within the space.

On the first floor, overlooking the river and the greenery of the garden, there are two spacious apartments. Their layouts can be variably divided by bespoke large-format sliding panels featuring original paintings by Patrik Hábl. From the shared hall, a sculpturally shaped staircase leads up to the attic, where three additional rooms are located. These spaces open generously into the roof structure, while wall reproductions echo motifs from Patrik Hábl’s paintings. The ground floor is reserved for the private residence of the investor.

In the interior design, strong emphasis was placed on high-quality materials. Natural stone, wooden surfaces, and hand-applied cement finishes are complemented by custom-made joinery and metalwork elements, executed with meticulous attention to detail. In terms of loose furniture, the architects opted for a mix of restored antiques and a curated selection of products by Czech and Slovak designers and local manufacturers.

A key architectural intervention was the transformation of the layout, supporting a natural and intuitive movement through the house. The original external staircase was replaced by an internal connection. A dark blue steel staircase winds from the ground floor to the attic, linking the different levels into a continuous whole. The new layout emphasizes strong visual axes, works with characteristic views, and introduces vertical openness to the space. Previously confined and dim rooms of the stone house were maximally opened and illuminated, while preserving the weight and genius loci of the place. Particular care was also devoted to the bathrooms, conceived to a high standard. Bathtubs extend directly into the bedroom spaces, reinforcing a sense of intimacy and personal ritual.

Privacy, comfort, and informal luxury are placed on equal footing with precise spatial composition and material articulation. The result is a completely new spatial experience, one that further translates into the subjective experience of the guests.

Studio
Architéka
Lucie Němcová

Author
Tereza Komárková [Architéka], Lucie Němcová

Design team
Tereza Černá [collaboration]
Stanislav Heidler, Blanka Heidlerová [project documentation]

Project location
Po Vodě 106, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
 
Project year
2020-2022

Completion year
2026

Built-up area
140 m²

Gross floor area
490 m²

Usable floor area
320 m²

Plot size
655 m²

Cost
1M €

 
Photographer
Václav Novák, www.vaclavnovak.com

Collaborators and suppliers
Original artistic wall paintings: Patrik Hábl, www.patrikhabl.com
Wayfinding: Brandmark., www.brandmark.cz
Sticker graphics, wallpapers [implementation]: FUGU, www.fugu.cz
General contractor: Vidox, www.vidox.cz
Atypical steel staircase: Petr Hampl, www.petrhampl.cz
Cement plasters: BOCA, www.bocagroup.cz
Wooden floors & tiles: Havwoods, www.podlahy-havwoods.cz
Custom furniture: HOMER Concept & Interiors, www.homerinteriors.cz
Stone slabs: Adriatik Stone, www.adriatikstone.sk
Locksmith elements: Bers Metal
Atypical concrete slabs for bathtubs: ŠVEC Beton, www.svecbeton.cz
Lighting supplier: LightWorks, www.lightworks.cz
Decorative chandeliers: Studio IHOR
Furniture supplier: Momenti, www.momenti.cz, Alax, www.alax.cz, Bonami, www.bonami.cz
Restoration of antique furniture: Tereza Korbelová [sto•re], www.sto-re.cz