Garden Pavilion by BYRÓ Architekti: A Minimalist Urban Retreat in Prague

Nestled in a lush, mature garden in the heart of Prague, the Garden Pavilion by BYRÓ architekti (2023) exemplifies compact, sustainable, and thoughtful residential architecture. Located just a ten-minute walk from the clients’ apartment, this small-scale pavilion transforms a previously dilapidated cottage into a multifunctional garden retreat, balancing openness, light, and urban greenery.

Concept and Design Approach

The clients’ brief was paradoxical yet precise: create a new structure that preserves the openness of the garden, provides modest shelter during adverse weather, accommodates occasional summer overnight stays, and serves as a winter storage space for plants. BYRÓ architekti embraced these challenges, designing a pavilion that blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior while remaining sensitive to its surroundings.

The pavilion introduces a dynamic folding polycarbonate panel that allows an entire side of the building to open completely. This mechanism, operated via steel cables, pulleys, and counterweights, enables seamless interaction with the garden. When opened, the panel extends over the outdoor area, functioning as a sheltered roof during rain and reinforcing the pavilion’s role as a true garden loggia—an architectural homage to traditional open-air spaces.

Integration with the Garden Context

Situated on the original wooden cottage foundations near the Vltava River, the pavilion respects the character of nearby garden structures. Traditional cottages in this garden colony are typically dark, windowless, and slightly irregular in form. BYRÓ architekti mirrored this aesthetic using shou-sugi-ban burnt wood, creating a naturally textured facade that harmonizes with the surrounding greenery. When the shutters are closed, the pavilion blends seamlessly with the quiet, romantic charm of its neighborhood.

Architecture and Materials

Constructed using a two-by-four wooden frame system, the interior walls are plastered, with the rear wall lined in wood featuring an integrated bookshelf and ladder to a lofted upper level. Wooden slats in the library and loft allow natural light to filter softly, creating a warm and subtle interior atmosphere. Strategically positioned windows on three sides, combined with the polycarbonate panel, provide dynamic lighting throughout the day, ensuring even the compact 3 x 5 m floor plan (with a height just under 5 m) feels airy and open.

Sustainable and Off-Grid Living

The pavilion operates independently from municipal utilities, relying on a single photovoltaic panel that meets its basic energy needs, including lighting. This off-grid approach aligns with the clients’ desire for a minimal, sustainable, and low-maintenance garden retreat.

Experience and Functionality

The Garden Pavilion is more than a building; it is an experience. Its compact design, multifunctional spaces, and flexible openings allow users to fully immerse themselves in nature while maintaining comfort during varying weather conditions. Whether used for summer stays, winter plant storage, or quiet reading and contemplation, the pavilion demonstrates how small-scale residential architecture can seamlessly merge utility, beauty, and sustainability.