Jabloneček

"When I acquired this absolutely amazing piece of land, I wasn't entirely sure what I was going to do with it. Naturally, a lot of ideas came up, several investors, a number of friends. Some ideas were truly crazy, but none excited me enough to bring them to life. Shaping my dream required much more imagination and inspiration.

I have made countless trips to the Jabloneček valley, and each one was a transformative experience. It was clear to me that we didn't want to exploit nature here, but rather become part of its unique ecosystem. Therefore, we invited architects and a broader team of professionals who share my values, and I trust their sensibility for this location. The most talented architects of the current young generation have brought a timeless concept into this organic environment, which is certainly not typical for similar settings. Architecture and landscape will function here once again as a single entity. The unifying idea is the interconnection of cultures, styles, and nature into a truly symbiotic place, where one element not only respects but supports the other. We will ensure that this resort pays homage to the untouched natural environment and preserves it as such for all who choose to live here, as well as for those who merely visit." (Serge Borenstein)

Greenfield revitalization

The lands of the historic village of Jablonec (popularly known as Jabloneček) are the only ones among the seventeen vanished villages in this area designated by the regional development plan for revitalization into a recreational area. In 2003, Stanislav Ludvík began investing in the lands of the former military training area in the present-day Jabloneček cadastral territory. He subsequently initiated the foundation of the Ralsko Geopark, which cares for the forgotten history and the natural and landscape qualities of the former military area.

He completely won over Serge Borenstein to the unique character of this landscape, who then purchased the majority of the land from him. Further acquisitions created a cohesive territorial unit. However, the current concept for the revitalization of the valley and the creation of a unique recreational resort has been maturing for more than ten years.

The foresight and vision of developer Serge Borenstein overcame the paradigm of distrust in the potential of former industrial zones in Prague 25 years ago. With his development projects, he initiated the successful transformation of Karlín into one of the most attractive city districts, and the brownfields of the Czech metropolis have generally become sought-after locations for contemporary living today.

The revitalization of the Jabloneček valley is a similar process, demonstrating the transformative ability to see a location's potential and charm regardless of the prejudices projected onto the area by 20th-century history. Jabloneček, which used to be the cultural center of its surroundings, will build upon the natural landscape qualities for which people settled here for centuries. Thanks to inspiring contemporary architecture, it will simultaneously become a center of modern human lifestyle in harmony with nature.

"An ancient landscape interwoven with picturesque valleys, adorned with deep forests and vast meadows, has become a place that is soon to be transformed. Where the first waters of the Mukařov Stream cut into the sandstone massif, in the places where a village named Jabloneček once stood, we are building a new future. The history that swept through the valley left unforgettable marks on the landscape, but at the same time preserved the untouched and wild nature. Above the memory of old stones, vanished orchards, and the last remnants of houses, we are designing a complex that will bring life back to the place. In the valley, between the sandstone banks, top-tier architecture will rise, purifying the memories of an abandoned and empty place. The landscape will transform into a maintained garden. And people will return to the place they abandoned a long time ago." (quote by Jan Vondrák, Mjölk architekti)

Hotel

The hotel is the dominant building of the complex. From afar, it greets: "Hello! Something amazing has happened here." The structure of the building bridges the valley. The elegant timber frame structure straddles the valley garden without creating barriers. It hovers over the valley like a phantom from a dream. An intimate number of hotel rooms levitate above the tranquil landscape, so close to the sky. The essential visitor experience is staying above the rolling fog, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The hotel is connected to the lobby and the hotel restaurant. These are situated at the bottom of the valley, close to the access road and the garden with lakes. The roof of the hotel is a bridge between the steep slopes of the sandstone canyon. It interconnects the cultivated forest landscape into a single whole. A multifunctional hall directly adjoins the hotel.

Restaurant

The restaurant is a single-story structure submerged in the water surface beneath the bridge. The open operation presents gastronomy as a show. The lake surface reflects the light and mirrors the surrounding landscape. The atmosphere of the restaurant changes by the minute. Rays of light orchestrate a flickering projection of sunshine in the interior. The surrounding nature tells the stories of the seasons, right within reach of the gourmet's table. A concrete basement conceals the necessary technological facilities. Once the structure rises above the water, the structural system transitions into a glazed, timber frame structure made of glulam profiles.

Parking

All car traffic is inconceivable within the complex, so the parking garage serves to drop off vehicles upon entering the resort. Subsequent transportation is carried out on foot or via small electric quadricycles that can be rented in the garages. The garages are covered with a green roof that blends into the terrain. The minimalist parking structure shows that even a technical building can be beautiful.

Location

Settlement of the Jabloneček valley is documented as early as the reign of Ottokar I of Bohemia at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries; small remains of the 14th-century Křída Castle are located in the northern part of the territory. Today, Jabloneček falls under the cadastral territory of the town of Ralsko, which territorially traces the former military training area. A small road from Mnichovo Hradiště leads into the Jabloneček valley, beyond which only hiking and cycling trails continue, as it borders the second-largest game reserve in the Czech Republic.

Ralsko Geopark

The co-investor of the Jabloneček project, Stanislav Ludvík, founded the non-profit organization Geopark Ralsko with his partners, which is the management body of the Ralsko National Geopark. The mission of this organization includes the protection of natural and cultural values, the interpretation of local heritage, the development of sustainable tourism (geotourism), region promotion, and cooperation on regional development. Ralsko Geopark organizes the annual Proměny (Transformations) festival in Jabloneček.

Vybrané projekty