A Barn for Everyone: Rural Community Life in Barn-Inspired Houses

Abstract

The social life of rural areas has traditionally revolved around pubs, gyms, and, in recent years, cultural centres. The essence of these meeting places is intricately linked with their formal characteristics. Recently, there have been several significant projects in the Czech Republic that have transformed private estates into public spaces. In some instances, these new constructions draw inspiration from the rural barn. What kind of dynamic arises when these different architectural forms intersect, and how does this design approach influence the surrounding environment? This study primary delves into two case studies from the small villages of Skalička and Opatovice to explore these questions further.