A historic baroque garden complex in Jindřichův Hradec, Czech Republic, has been transformed into a vibrant community space that blends horticultural heritage with contemporary architecture and cultural programming. The Kraffer Community Garden project, completed in 2025 by matěj šebek architekti and Ateliér Za Mák, represents a remarkable example of brownfield regeneration that honors the site's 18th-century origins while serving modern community needs.
The 120-square-meter architectural intervention sits within a complex with deep historical roots. Originally designed as a baroque palace garden in the 18th century, the site was later separated from its palace after a major fire and subsequently sold. For over a century, the renowned Kraffer family operated a horticultural nursery on the grounds, establishing it as a center of botanical expertise in the region. However, nationalization in the 1950s brought insensitive alterations that led to decades of decline, with the nursery and its buildings gradually deteriorating into a brownfield site that was partially cleared at the turn of the millennium.
The comprehensive renewal began in 2021 when a group of landscape architects from Ateliér Za Mák took over the abandoned nursery. Their vision transformed the neglected space into a community hub that serves as both a demonstration garden and cultural venue. The contemporary garden design strictly follows geometric principles derived from the uncovered historical layout, creating a clear organizational structure that respects the site's baroque heritage while accommodating modern functions.
The reconstructed terraced garden follows a rediscovered terrain configuration that is more than 200 years old, adapted for contemporary use as a flexible space for culture, relaxation, and flower cultivation. The entire garden is framed by the original baroque stone wall, which now supports south-facing greenhouses and growing sheds. This integration of historical elements with new construction creates a striking dialogue between past and present.
The architectural intervention by matěj šebek architekti focuses on opening the garden to the public through strategic design moves. The most significant intervention occurs on the northeastern edge of the garden, where the architects cut through the middle of existing warehouses and greenhouses from different periods to create a new ramp providing direct access to the garden. This bold move transforms the circulation and accessibility of the entire complex.
The new extension that defines this ramp replaces dilapidated buildings while respecting the original baroque enclosure wall. Housing both a flower shop and landscape architecture studio, the low structure blends naturally with the original greenhouses and features a green roof that integrates with the terraced garden context. The building sits on a light concrete plinth connected to the concrete ramp that guides visitors into the garden.
Architectural details emphasize both functionality and sensitivity to the historic context. The layout and construction adjoin the original baroque wall, with fragments visible in the interior spaces. A monolithic heavy lintel symbolically and structurally connects the new extension to the historic wall, emphasizing the dialogue between old and new construction. The building features a flat green roof with significant southern overhang for summer shade, supported by exposed ceiling beams and a clearly defined cornice.
Interior spaces maintain a balance between function and delicacy. Light plywood partition walls allow for flexible arrangements, while all walls remain unplastered and finished only with lime whitewash. This approach allows the precise ceramic block structure to meet the winding baroque stone wall under a uniform plywood ceiling, creating visual continuity between different historical periods.
Today, the largest portion of the complex serves as a public demonstration garden where plants are both cultivated and sold, allowing visitors to discover local and seasonal flower production techniques. The space hosts diverse cultural and environmental events, workshops focused on flowers and herbs, and provides areas for simple relaxation and contemplation.
The project exemplifies successful interdisciplinary collaboration, with the house and garden developed through constant dialogue where each element shaped the other. The partnership between Ateliér Za Mák and matěj šebek architekti produced not only a shared community space but also established long-term cooperation for future projects. The transformation demonstrates how contemporary sustainable design principles, including emphasis on recycling, rainwater management, and biodiversity support, can be successfully integrated with historic preservation efforts.
The Kraffer Community Garden stands as a model for brownfield regeneration that respects historical significance while meeting contemporary community needs. Its success lies in the careful balance between strict geometric organization derived from historical design language and the natural wildness of plantings that create striking visual contrasts throughout the space.
