Zprávy památkové péče 2013, 73(5):395-399

Layers of design: a heritage care memento in the former Josef Sochor Villa in Dvůr Králové

Ladislav Zikmund-Lender

The former "old villa" of Josef Sochor in Dvůr Králové nad Labem represented a very unique interplay and gradual exterior and interior replenishment of cubist elements, national style elements and furnishings, and purist and functionalist interiors of a historical building. Even though it was primarily the interiors of the entrance, the hall with staircase, and the dining room in national style by Josef Gočár, František Kysela, and Otto Gutfreund which had been recognized thus far, the building's main value lay in the very coexistence of several distinct stylistic and temporal layers of the villa's design. All the same, the villa was insensitively demolished in 2010. The article evaluates the significance of this extraordinary and remarkable building and its interiors and goes on to reminisce on the building as a remarkable memory site despite its demolition, elevating its fate as a memento for the future practice of heritage preservation.

Keywords: national style; rondocubism; Josef Gočár; Pavel Janák; Josef Sochor

Published: December 1, 2013  Show citation