Garden Pavilion by BYRÓ architects

Prague-based architecture firm BYRÓ architekti has designed the Garden Pavilion, a small structure nestled in a mature garden in the city center of Prague. This serene retreat, made of spruce wood, was designed to provide leisure space and occasional overnight accommodation without compromising the garden’s openness. Replacing a derelict cottage, the pavilion offers minimal enclosed space for weather protection, enhancing outdoor enjoyment while serving as a cozy summer night retreat. In winter, it transforms into a sheltered plant storage area, reminiscent of a traditional winter garden. A standout feature is the innovative folding facade, which can be fully opened using a system of steel cables, pulleys, and counterweights. This design allows the interior to seamlessly merge with the garden, inspired by the historical garden loggia. When open, it creates a covered outdoor space for refuge during light rain, with a polycarbonate panel extending the roof. Reflecting the garden colony’s character near the Vltava River, the pavilion features a dark, burnt wood exterior using the shou-sugi-ban technique, blending with nearby greenhouses and arbors. With closed shutters, it harmonizes with the surrounding structures.