Not only in fashion, but also in architecture, timelessness is a symbol of durability, exceptionality, and relevance. Something that does not lose its character, atmosphere, and value over time.
The Kollmann House, now called Villa K , is a significant architectural work of Slovak functionalism. It was designed in 1934 by architect Oskar Singer and built by builder Alfréd Tomaschek. In recent years, thanks to the current owners, it has risen from the ashes like a mythical phoenix and will soon welcome its first visitors.
Etela and Fritz Kollmann had a background in Levice, near the Pohronský Ruskov sugar factory, where Fritz worked. The villa, in which they lived for only a few years, is on today's Kmeťkova Street in Nitra. It is a unique, most published and most awarded project by Oskar Singer. Here, he fully applied Corbusier's principles of functionalism - in accordance with them, form was to be completely subordinate to function. And this was comfortable living for the Kollmanns and their daughter.
There are three rooms here – a living room with corner windows, a dining room and a bedroom. From the latter, a door leads to a private bathroom with a bathtub and toilet. There is also a small kitchen on this floor, behind which is a maid's room. One floor above is a spacious terrace and one room, probably used as a guest room.
Since 2018, they have been carrying out a sensitive, comprehensive renovation. They are also drawing money from subsidy calls from the Ministry of Culture, from EEA and Norway Grants. Today, the facade has been restored, the windows have been repaired, the floors and the walls have been painted - in the same colors as in the past. The monument workers took great care and really uncovered them layer by layer. The rooms are empty for now, the furniture they plan to return to them will be a replica of the original.
In the lower part of the house, an attached room around the columns, there will be a cultural center where various discussions, screenings and lectures will be held, and it will be freely accessible to the public.
Villa K became the perfect backdrop for Alain Delon's current spring collection , and we thank the owners for making its precious spaces available. We wish the renovated villa many visitors.
Big on the outside, cozy on the inside
The house is unique with its aerodynamic rounded corners and ship design. Another interesting feature is the (original) construction of part of the house on pillars. However, the arcade was already built in 1937. The reasons for the construction can only be guessed at today, but it is likely that the inhabitants of the house were simply cold. Moreover, the lower terrace that was created under the living space was too low for them to fully use it.
Although the villa looks massive from the outside, there is not much living space inside. The lower part contains the technical facilities of the house - a boiler room with a space for storing solid fuel, a laundry room, a drying room. In the tower-like part there is a curved staircase leading to the first floor intended for living.
Thanks to the windows, they discovered a treasure
Since we know how this house was built and who lived in it, our view of it has suddenly changed completely. It will cost us something, but we take it for granted that it is part of the history of our city, and when we restore the house, we will be giving something back. (Ladislav Stodola)
Famous house
The Stodol family gradually uncovered the villa's secrets, and in 2011, when conservationists officially declared it a national cultural monument, they decided to restore it to its original state. They were helped by photographs of the house and its interior taken by renowned photographer Rudolf Sandalo, published in the German magazine Forum.
Ownership of the house has been transferred to the Vila K civic association and the first guests may soon be accommodated. The experiential accommodation, which will be on the first floor, in the original living space, will provide a period view of the architecture and interiors of the 1930s. The owners hope that the descendants of the original owners, the Kollmanns, who they managed to track down in Ostrava and have already visited the villa, will also come to see the restored monument.
