Permanent exhibition

Dušan Jurkovič. The Architect and His House.

The objective of the restoration of the Jurkovič House was to return the building to its original appearance to the highest possible degree. The continuing good state of repair of the basic building elements, together with a sensitive approach on the part of the restorers, made it possible to bring the main living quarters back to the atmosphere of the period in which the architect's family lived there, or more exactly, before they moved in.

The exhibition of architecture and the applied arts organised in the house by Dušan Jurkovič in collaboration with the Friends of the Arts Club in 26 August - 20 September 1906 was intended to present the public with a modern way of living, as well as showcasing the architect's work. The permanent exhibition installed in the house now follows Jurkovič's concept.

The central staircase hall, then a highly modern interior feature, was brought back to its original appearance. Several pieces of the original furniture were restored and supplemented with replicas made in the light of Jurkovič's plans and contemporaneous photographs. The rooms were furnished with carpets, hand-painted wallpaper and Lincrusta lining, the original wall decoration was exposed and the ceiling in the hall was restored. The space acquired its original proportions and unique colour scheme.

Jurkovič once employed the adjacent drawing room as a furniture showroom. Its wall surfaces were restored and a replica of the original chandelier was added; the room will serve exhibition purposes once more. Furniture series from the collections of the Moravian Gallery, Brno and other institutions, as well as from private owners, will be displayed there. The first display presents a living room suite created by Jurkovič for the interiors of Jaroslav Veselý's chateau in Molitorov (1909).

Jurkovič used the children's room, bedroom and bathroom in 1906 as exhibition rooms for his designs. The original wall decoration has survived under layers of paint, in the shape of a border with stylised artists' guild coats of arms. The premises now house an exhibition devoted to the architect's work.