We are always excited to learn how our visitors perceive the villa, what details capture their attention and which aspects of Mr. Volman’s family story resonate with them the most. So, when our enthusiastic visitor Martina approached us with the idea of writing a report about her guided tour experience, including a short interview with the guide, we were absolutely thrilled. Here is her report. Enjoy!
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting a functionalist gem of a villa - Villa Volman. I already heard quite a bit about the villa before visiting, first seeing it in the autumn issue of my fave Konfekt magazine (the whole issue is stunning, highly recommended!). The fashion editorial was beautiful, with the villa the perfect stylish backdrop. As a huge architecture and design fan, I knew I had to see it for myself, especially since it had only recently opened to the public.
And then… a friend and former colleague reached out to me and said she was working at the villa. Sometimes, I think I believe in serendipity—and that day was one of those times. :) I mean, how cool is that?
Visiting the villa from Prague is a breeze—you just take a half-hour train ride to Čelákovice, followed by a 20-minute walk. Easy peasy! (And, of course, you can always drive :).
To be honest (and I will try not to speak in hyperbole haha!) already arriving at the villa with its sprawling park and lovely sculptures, I was in awe. Sidenote: I think visiting Villa Volman in autumn is perfect, since the foliage surrounding the area made the visit even more special. Plus the brick red colouring of the facade in combination with the autumn foliage made for a really beautiful sight.
When visiting the villa, you need to book a guided tour in advance and I was super lucky to join a tour guided by my friend Veronika (and don’t miss a fun interview with her at the end!). Yes I’m biased but I really and truly recommend her tours—they’re engaging, informative, fun and interactive. The tour takes about 70 minutes, but I honestly wish it had lasted longer, that’s how much I enjoyed it.
The history of the villa is really interesting but also quite heartbreaking at points. In my opinion, Josef Volman, who first envisioned the villa, was a bit of a genius as architecturally the concept was groundbreaking (especially for the 1930s period in Czechoslovakia). The (very young) architects took Volman’s concepts and were also inspired by Le Corbusier and created one of the most beautiful and expensive residences of the interwar period. So what’s the heartbreaking part, you ask? The Volman family was forced to leave the house due to a communist takeover in 1948, and after 1990, the house was not used at all and fell into such ruin that the north wing was almost demolished. There’s more details to the whole story, and this is where I’d say BOOK YOUR VISIT TODAY, as the history of the villa is really compelling.
Fast forward to 2024, and the villa has been restored to its former glory. The villa is also a member of the Iconic Houses global network, an international group connecting architecturally significant 20th century houses and studios that are also open to the public. Also, you can now stay at the villa (um yes please! I’m guessing that next time, I might do that :). And yes, some items were never recovered, but I was truly impressed by the details of the renovation and the beauty and functionality of every room. Some of my favorite elements—the bathtubs (pink for Josef Volman, blue for his daughter), his office featuring a brochure from his factory, and the villa’s ship-like design with staircase openings resembling ship cabin windows—may not be the most grand, but they were incredibly memorable and, at times, deeply touching.
I left the tour inspired and invigorated—and yes, even touched by the beauty and the story of the house. A grand building that, despite its hardships, has prevailed and persevered. I’ll definitely be back soon and I hope you will be able to visit the villa, too.
Veru in her element :)
Hi Veru! Can you tell us a bit about your role at the villa? What’s the best part of working there for you?
Hi everyone! At Villa Volman, I work as the Marketing Manager, but I enjoy the opportunity to roll up my sleeves and try my hand at the operational side of things as well. A few months ago, I also joined the team of tour guides, and I already know it was the only element I was still missing in my work here. Sharing the story of the villa and the Volman family feels like our mission and seeing people leave the villa with such enthusiasm and return for concerts or events we host, or to experience the overnight stay is a great reward for us.
Hi everyone! At Villa Volman, I work as the Marketing Manager, but I enjoy rolling up my sleeves and trying my hand at the operational side of things as well. A few months ago, I also joined the team of tour guides, and I quickly realized it was the missing piece in my work here. Sharing the story of the villa and the Volman family feels like our mission and seeing visitors leave with enthusiasm and return for concerts, events, or even overnight stays is incredibly rewarding.
What’s your favorite spot in the villa, and why?
There are so many that it’s almost impossible to choose just one. Besides all the terraces with stunning views, I’d probably choose the area around the staircase on the residential floor. All the colors, geometric shapes, and sculptural elements you can observe there (especially when the sun is out, adding another dimension to the space) create a unique experience. This is quite atypical for a functionalist house and is also one of the many reasons why Villa Volman truly stands out.
There are so many that it’s almost impossible to choose just one. Beyond the terraces with their stunning views, I’d probably pick the area around the staircase on the residential floor. All the colors, geometric shapes, and sculptural elements that are part of this area (especially when the sun is out, adding another dimension to the space) create a unique experience. It’s an atypical feature for a functionalist house and one of the many reasons why Villa Volman stands out.
Is there a little-known fact or secret about the villa you can share with us?
I would probably mention that the villa was originally designed for just two permanent residents – Mr. Volman and his daughter, Luďa. When you stand in front of the house and admire the spaciousness of its exterior and interior, you might be surprised to learn that it was originally designed for a family of only two members.
Another rather surprising fact is that the entire house was built within just one year, reportedly in as little as 10 months. If any of you have recently built or renovated something, you’ll probably agree that this is quite an impressive achievement :-) Visitors are also often surprised that, despite being constructed between 1938 and 1939, the house feels very contemporary. Mr. Volman was a great visionary of his time.
I’d probably mention that the villa was originally designed for just two permanent residents—Mr. Volman and his daughter, Luďa. When you stand in front of the house, taking in the spaciousness of its exterior and interior, it’s surprising to learn that it was designed for a family of only two.
Another rather surprising fact is that the entire house was built within just one year. If you’ve ever built or renovated anything, you’ll know just how impressive that is! :) Visitors are also often struck by how contemporary the house feels, despite being constructed between 1938 and 1939. Mr. Volman was truly a visionary ahead of his time.
What question do people ask you the most on tours? And can you tell us the answer? :)
Our visitors often wonder if Mr. Volman intentionally chose the pink bathtub and Luďa went for the blue one. I can confirm that Mr. Volman intentionally chose the pink colour since in the 1930s, the colour perception was the opposite to the stereotypical perception coming later. The pink was seen as a derivation of red, representing strength, dynamics and masculinity. It was also reflected in the fashion industry, as men wore pink shirts and ties. The marble bathrooms with original pink, blue and green bathtubs from the 1930s are one of characteristic elements in the villa and they often come to people´ mind as one of the first connections to Villa Volman.
People also tend to ask about the villa´s budget. There is quite a funny story about the budget that illustrates what a perfectionist Mr. Volman was. I usually wrap up my tours by revealing it so come find out :)
Our visitors often wonder whether Mr. Volman intentionally chose the pink bathtub and Luďa the blue one. I can confirm that Mr. Volman specifically chose pink! In the 1930s, perceptions of color were quite different from later stereotypes—pink, derived from red, was associated with strength, dynamism, and masculinity. This trend was also reflected in fashion, with men commonly wearing pink shirts and ties.
The villa’s marble bathrooms, featuring original pink, blue, and green bathtubs from the 1930s, are one of its most distinctive elements. They’re often the first thing people associate with Villa Volman.
People also tend to ask about the villa’s budget. There’s actually a funny story about it that perfectly illustrates what a perfectionist Mr. Volman was—I usually save it as a surprise to wrap up my tours, so come find out!
Why do you think people should visit the villa?
I believe visiting the villa is an unforgettable experience for all architecture, history, and design enthusiasts. I spend quite a bit of time here myself and it still manages to surprise me. A different time of day, different light, or another season, and I feel like I'm seeing it for the first time.
I'd also like to promise an outstanding experience with our guided tours. Our excellent guides will immerse you in the story, and you’ll leave feeling both thrilled and moved. Each guide has their own style, presenting the story in a slightly different way, but we are all absolutely passionate about the villa and strive to make the tours engaging and enjoyable. We are looking forward to seeing you there! :)
I really believe (and we often hear this from the visitors too! :) that visiting the villa is an unforgettable experience for architecture, history, and design enthusiasts. Even though I spend a lot of time here, it still manages to surprise me. A different time of day, changing light, or a new season, and it feels like I’m seeing it for the first time all over again.
I also want to promise you an outstanding experience with our guided tours. Our exceptional guides will immerse you in the villa’s story, leaving you feeling both thrilled and moved. Each guide brings their own unique style to the storytelling, but what unites us all is our passion for the villa and our dedication to making every tour engaging and enjoyable.
We can’t wait to welcome you—see you there! :)
Read more about Villa Volman, its history and tours here.
Author: Martina Sulková