Šumperák houses: The modern housing sensation of Czechoslovakia

In the late 1960s, architect Josef Vaněk designed a modern family house type known as the ‘Šumperák’. Designed to combine modern living with material savings and lower construction costs, the house featured flat roofs, raised floors, long balconies, and distinctive circular openings.

Although the name is derived from Vaněk’s residence in Šumperk, the first two houses were built in nearby Rapotín. The design caused a sensation among people seeking affordable, individual housing due to its efficient construction methods and relatively low costs.