Boutique living on a hillside overlooking the Moravian landscape
Vrbice is a small wine-growing village in South Moravia, where the landscape gradually rises into hills covered with vineyards and opens up to distant views of the surrounding countryside. It is precisely this character of the place – its calmness, openness, and strong connection to winemaking traditions – that became the main inspiration for the design of the Vrbice residential building.
The aim of the project was to create contemporary housing that naturally integrates into the village structure while offering modern comfort. The architecture therefore works with a simple volume, a traditional pitched roof, and materials that are close to the local context – brick, stone, wood, and natural finishes. The overall composition is complemented by a garden inspired by Mediterranean vegetation, subtly evoking the atmosphere of Provence typical of wine regions in South Moravia.
The site is located in the southeastern part of the village and features a pronounced slope. Working with the terrain therefore became one of the key design principles. The building is conceived as a three-storey volume that naturally follows the slope, allowing for maximum use of views towards the surrounding landscape. The main entrance is positioned at the upper part of the plot, where resident parking is also located.
The entrance level accommodates two residential units, while another two are situated on the lower level with direct access to private terraces and front gardens. The entire attic floor is dedicated to a larger apartment that benefits from open views of the landscape. This arrangement creates an intimate residential building with five units, maintaining a character closer to family housing than to an anonymous apartment complex.
All apartments are designed as one-bedroom units with a living area and kitchenette. Each has been given its own name inspired by wine varieties typical of South Moravia. Residents can thus live in Frankovka, Zweigeltrebe, Sauvignon, Ryzlink, or Pálava. This subtle motif refers to the region’s winemaking tradition while giving each apartment a distinct identity. Much like individual wine varieties, each unit has its own character and atmosphere, yet together they form a harmonious whole—just like the vineyards that shape the surrounding landscape.
The apartments are designed with an emphasis on efficient use of space, ample daylight, and a strong connection between the interior and the surrounding landscape. The living areas with kitchenettes are oriented towards the garden and open countryside, while the bedrooms provide privacy and a sense of calm.
The interiors work with a simple and timeless material palette—wooden floors, light plaster finishes, and subtle concrete accents create a quiet, restrained environment that allows light and space to stand out. A distinctive feature is the curved wall of the central staircase, which extends into the interiors of the apartments and gives them a unique architectural detail.
The project is based on a simple idea—to create a house that becomes a natural part of both the village and the landscape. The architecture is therefore not expressive, but calm and restrained. Emphasis is placed on proportions, materials, and the way the building works with the terrain, together forming a harmonious whole.
The Vrbice residential building thus offers contemporary living in a setting where everyday life naturally connects with the rhythm of vineyards, gardens, and the picturesque Moravian landscape.
Architects: Michal Rouha, Marie Delongová
Colaboration: Karel Buhr, Tranquility
Location: Vrbice, South Moravia
