Marek Jan Štěpán is a Moravian architect who is inspired by tradition and modernism. In his projects, he develops an archetypal concept of architecture and has a wide range of activities. He combines architecture with music, sculpture, design and also focuses on sacral architecture, he loves the smell of a construction site. He is the recipient of The Best of 2020 – Top 10 Interiors from Around the World. His project for the Church of Bl. Restituta, Brno – Lesná was included among the 10 best interiors in the world.
What made you accept the offer to design the winery in Pavlov?
Basically, I choose not only according to the topic, but above all according to the client. Because if you understand each other, you can see it in the result. For me, the client is the main key to the acceptance of the offer. Well, the fact that I accepted Pavel Müller’s offer makes everything else clear. Maybe it is the same for him.
How did you fi nd working with the Bystroň Group construction company?
The director of the company is said to be enthusiastic about the project. In Pavel Konečný, the construction of the winery building acquired a professional level. His passion for building became evident, which he passed on to us. Communication was factual and fast, without unnecessary paperwork. I would like to experience only buildings like that.
Pavlov, wine, architecture and building material. Is it the combination that creates the genius loci?
Pavlov and wine are one and the same. Beautiful traditional architecture can be found in Pavlov. Contemporary and modern architecture has only come to Pavlov in recent years in the form of the archeopark or this winery. But its appearance has been infl uenced above all by the landscape. The building is horizontal, calm and flowing (like the surrounding vineyards), blending into the landscape and not drawing unnecessary attention to itself. It has the structure of the vineyards. It has their sun and shade. At the same time, the building is designed using natural infl uences (shading, roof overhangs, ventilation, material articulation, embedding in the terrain, water retention), being complemented by hot and cold sources. One could say in a rural-ecological way, i.e. with rural common sense, the correlations between modern technologies and old principles are taken into account. The supporting system of the building is inspired by ancient architraves and entablatures, loadbearing and supported elements.
Thank you for the interview.
text: redakce
foto: archiv Ateliér Štěpán
