Ladislav Žák, Villa Lídy Baarová, 1936–1937

Designed by Czech architect and theorist Ladislav Žák, Villa Lídy Baarová is an important example of Czech Functionalism on the eve of the Second World War. The villa combines rational planning with expressive use of terraces and glazing, reflecting both modernist ideals and a strong sense of individuality.

The building’s history is inseparable from the turbulent political and cultural context of its time, adding layers of narrative to an otherwise restrained architectural composition.