The Timber Research Institute inspected the historic roof truss of Karel Čapek’s villa in Prague

Renovation work is currently underway in Prague’s Vinohrady district on part of the famous Čapek brothers’ twin villa, specifically Karel Čapek’s house. The restoration also included a technical survey of the wooden roof truss structures, carried out by technicians from the Wood Research Institute.

The current renovation concerns the section that belonged to Karel Čapek, which was purchased by the Prague 10 district in 2013 with the aim of preserving the house’s authentic character and opening it to the public as a museum in the future.

Roof truss inspection prior to renovation

As part of the renovation, experts from the Wood Research Institute were tasked with thoroughly mapping and assessing the condition of the roof truss and other wooden structures. The goal was to verify whether the structure contained any wood-destroying fungi, wood-boring insects, or other defects that could compromise its safety and longevity. The inspection also assessed any excessive cracks, structural deflections, or loose joints.

The survey confirmed that the roof truss is in satisfactory condition and that the structure can continue to serve safely after renovation.

Especially for historic buildings, during the renovation of older structures, or prior to the installation of photovoltaic systems, professional diagnostics are a crucial part of construction preparation.

It allows for the timely detection of hidden defects and the proposal of measures that preserve as much of the original structure as possible or reinforce it while ensuring the safety and long-term durability of the building.

The Building’s History

This listed twin villa was built in 1923–1924 according to a design by architect Ladislav Machoň, a prominent figure in Czech interwar architecture.

The house consists of two mirror-image sections. The right side was occupied by Karel Čapek and his father, while the left side belonged to Josef Čapek, who set up a painting studio in the attic. An important part of the house was also the extensive garden, where the famous “Friday Group” would gather, including figures such as Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, Edvard Beneš, and Ferdinand Peroutka.

Diagnostics of Wooden Structures

The Wood Research and Development Institute has long been dedicated to the diagnostics of both historic and contemporary wooden structures. It provides diagnostics for buildings, roof trusses, roofs, and other wooden elements, as well as structural condition analyses and recommendations for technical measures.

The services also include mycological surveys, biological analyses of wood samples, evaluations of wood structure protection, and laboratory testing of the effectiveness of chemical wood preservation.

At the same time, VVÚD experts oversee the implementation of proposed measures and provide consultations to designers, contractors, and construction firms. For historically significant buildings, the goal is always to sensitively balance the structure’s historical value with the requirements for its safe and long-term functionality.