At first glance, a traditional European rural silhouette, but look closer, and be rewarded with a fascinating interplay of light, mass, and landscape.
Designed by Czech architect Jan Žaloudek as a weekend retreat for his family, the Oskar House was conceived as a place to slow down. A place where architecture helps create a sanctuary from a busy world and allows its residents to return to pure essentials – enjoying peace, everyday rituals, and silence.
Located in Kamenná Lhota, a small settlement about 40 miles (60 kilometers) south of Prague, the Oskar House respects the traditional form of a gabled house and follows the massing and proportions typical of local farm buildings. Perforated masonry with openings for light and air is the building's defining feature and a modern take on patterns found in older buildings in the village.
The house sits in the center of a spacious garden that originally belonged to the neighboring chateau and is surrounded by the remains of a baroque barn, mature trees, and a historic stone wall.
Looking to build a place for contemplation, inspiration, and recreation, Žaloudek eventually found inspiration in the sacral structure of a chapel — the hamlet lacks a church. The resulting volume has a traditional elongated shape with a gable roof clad in ceramic tiles, and a white stucco façade that echoes the tone and texture of neighboring buildings.
In contrast, the interior space is warm and rounded, dominated by a generously vaulted ceiling reaching 23 feet (7 meters). The house features custom-made wooden and stone furniture designed by the architect, creating a cohesive aesthetic.
Named after composer Oskar Nedbal, who famously wrote the operetta Polish Blood in the nearby chateau, Oskar House was completed in 2025 — and that same year was awarded the prestigious title of Interior of the Year.
The architect meticulously researched every interior design element of the house to ensure it complemented the project's goals. The choice of M&T Minimal 2.0 door levers was no accident — the Czech Republic-based door hardware manufacturer M&T makes door handles from solid brass, a time-honored material that offers a tactile feel modern alloys cannot match. The M&T Minimal 2.0 was the first door lever collection by M&T to feature integrated privacy locking (no additional bottom privacy thumbturn), helping the architect keep visual distractions to a minimum. The custom interior doors feature beautiful oak wood veneer, and the architect chose M&T Minimal 2.0 in a titanium matte brass finish (TiN-A), celebrated in the interior design community for its gorgeous sheen and durability.
The architect made the house available to architecture lovers and artists from all around the world, so if you would like to stay in this unique place, check if it's available.
You can buy M&T Minimal 2.0, along with other M&T architectural hardware, in North America through Angelbau.
