Zprávy památkové péče 2015, 75(4):313-321

The issue of heritage preservation for prefabricated housing estates using the example of Ďáblice

Hana Řepková

The residential complex of Ďáblice from the 1970's epitomizes the fulfillment of nearly all of the ideals of modernity that were ever associated with this kind of construction. The Ďáblice housing estate bears important attributes of the 1960's and 70's while extending beyond the normal production of the time. Even today, the qualities that set this housing estate apart can be found in the quality and comprehensibility of its urban design and its rigorous compliance, the exceptional quality of the architectural design of its residential buildings and the quality of their realization including details and atypical elements, the accessibility and quality of its individual sections (numerous generously sized passages, grandiose entrance halls, covered walkways, arcades, walkways around the bases of the buildings, a rich network of paths), the generosity of greenery design, the well thought-out composition including terrain slopes and ponds, the valuable backdrop with its natural and cultural sites, the frequency and thoughtful placement of artworks, the high design of its ancillary buildings, excellent transport accessibility, and numerous job opportunities (the Academy of Sciences in the direct vicinity of the housing estate).
The construction of the Ďáblice residential complex for 28,500 residents was launched in 1968, and a substantial portion of the apartments was completed in 1975. The urban design, won through a competition, was the work of architects Vlastimil Durdík and Jiří Novotný from 1963, then the design was further developed by architects Josef Polák, Vojtěch Šalda, and Viktor Tuček, who became the complex's chief architect.
The housing estate is spread over the gentle southern slope of the northern terrace of Prague at the foot of the Ladví hill. The residential complex is the successful result of the architectural and urban potential of the 1960's. The concept of this estate includes the very best of modern architecture - the simple elegance of urban design, houses with relaxed parterres, greenery richly pervading the entire complex, the grandiosity of its entrance halls, the subtlety of its construction, and artworks tied in with the architecture. Unlike most housing estates in the Czech Republic, it is apparent here that the satisfaction of its future population was important during the designing process, and the economy of construction was not the sole priority.
There are three main types of residential buildings in the Ďáblice housing estate, completed in 1968-1975. The authors of the panel houses are architects Vilém Hess and Viktor Tuček, and the author of the three 18-storey tower blocks is architect Jiří Kulišťák. The author of the five 12-storey houses south of Střelničná is Ing. Kocián. Even though the houses were built of panels and were based on common standardized sets, they still managed to achieve a remarkable plasticity of expression. Both types of tower blocks achieve almost sculptural forms using two basic geometric shapes, the cube and the prism. The skeleton of the housing estate consists of eighteen panel buildings with eleven, thirteen, and fourteen floors with receding first and last floor, atypically designed gabled sections, and an airy parterre. The facades, horizontally articulated by strip windows, are complemented by strong vertical elements. The houses are articulated not only by balconies but also by lesenes covering the panel joints and giving the houses a noble expression of high order.
Even seemingly trivial technical features enjoy a timeless design, such as the transformer station near the playground complemented by a L-shaped simple flat roof supported by slender steel columns. This covered pergola integrates the transformer station into green space and provides shade and protection from the rain. This airy and economic structure represents one of the great elements of modernist style which the housing estate is equipped with.
Why should the Ďáblice housing estate be protected? This residential complex still stands out even after years of repairs, interventions, and changes. In its time, it was well above the average quality, and many of its qualities have still not been surpassed today. The design of the Ďáblice estate works very imaginatively with a small amount of elements and uses the block and street archetype. The urban concept of semi-open square blocks in the southern part of the estates reflects traditional urban courtyards, while pairs of superblocks reflect streets. At the same time, both forms are blended together and surrounded by vast green areas.
The plasticity, originality, and degree of preservation of its original expression and furnishing of the parterre of the houses of the Ďáblice housing estate, enhanced by its unique concept and the quality of greenery that we do not see in any other modernist housing estates in the Czech Republic, fully justifies its inclusion among the most valuable residential complexes and its claim to heritage protection as a municipal heritage zone.
When considering forms of protection, the degree of preservation of the individual elements on the buildings of the housing estate was explored, and it was noted that none of the houses have been preserved entirely intact. All the same, one house stands out which has retained the most important attributes - both open passages and the arcades under both gables. The house on Kyselova Street is located in an exposed position in the heart of the residential complex, and its protection through registration onto the list of cultural properties would be of great importance in preserving its values as well as for presenting the qualities of the housing estate.
Given that the majority of the ideas embodied in this complex are unique and alive even after more than 45 years, it is clear that the complex is worthy of protection. This should especially focus on the preservation of its architectural and urban qualities and in the rectification of inappropriate interventions.

Keywords: Residential complex, Ďáblice housing estate, architect Viktor Tuček, urban composition, superblock, heritage protection

Published: December 1, 2015  Show citation