Kraffer Community Garden by matěj šebek architekti + Ateliér Za Mák

Located in the heart of Jindřichův Hradec, Czechia, the Kraffer Community Garden represents a remarkable transformation of historical heritage into a vibrant, contemporary public space. Designed collaboratively by matěj šebek architekti and Ateliér Za Mák, the project revitalizes a 120 m² brownfield site with a focus on culture, horticulture, and community engagement. Completed in 2025, the garden seamlessly merges history, sustainability, and public accessibility.

Historical Legacy

The Kraffer Garden traces its origins to the 18th century as a Baroque palace garden. Following a devastating fire, the land was separated from the palace and sold. For over a century, the Kraffer family nursery thrived here, contributing to horticultural development in the region. However, nationalization in the 1950s led to neglect and insensitive alterations, gradually transforming the site into a partially cleared brownfield by the early 2000s.

In 2021, Ateliér Za Mák and a team of landscape architects initiated a full-scale renewal, blending historical structures with modern functionality. The project honors the garden’s Baroque roots while creating a space where horticultural craft, cultural activities, and public interaction coexist.

Contemporary Garden Design

The garden’s design is inspired by its historical geometric layout, updated to accommodate contemporary uses. Terraced levels, a restored Baroque stone wall, and south-facing greenhouses frame a space that balances structure with natural wildness. Sustainable design principles such as recycling, rainwater management, and biodiversity support are integrated throughout, creating a resilient and ecologically responsible environment.

Today, Kraffer Garden functions as a public demonstration garden, allowing visitors to explore seasonal flower cultivation and engage with a variety of herb, flower, and environmental workshops. It also hosts cultural events and provides a relaxing urban oasis where locals can connect with nature and community life.

Architectural Interventions

Key architectural adaptations by matěj šebek architekti prioritize public accessibility. On the northeastern edge, a complex of historical warehouses and greenhouses was carefully opened to create a ramped entry into the garden. This intervention houses a flower shop and landscape architecture studio, with a low-profile structure that blends naturally into the original greenhouses. A green roof integrates the building seamlessly into the terraced garden.

The architecture emphasizes clarity, function, and harmony. A light concrete plinth and ramp lead visitors into the garden, connecting the building to the original Baroque wall. Interior walls are simple yet flexible, made from whitewashed plywood and ceramic blocks that echo the historic masonry. Exposed ceiling beams and a carefully designed cornice reinforce the dialogue between past and present.

Collaborative Approach

The project exemplifies cross-disciplinary collaboration, with the garden shaping the architecture and vice versa. The partnership between Ateliér Za Mák and matěj šebek architekti has not only created a joyful, functional public space but also fostered long-term cooperation and community engagement. The garden continues to evolve, reflecting the dynamic relationship between heritage, architecture, and contemporary urban life.

All Photographs are works of Radek Úlehla