Jan Antonin Bata Villa
It is not known who designed the villa of Jan Antonin Bata, yet it is a great example of modern architecture in Zlín. The elegant and stylishly clean family villa near the Collective House is today the seat of the Czech Radio Zlín. However, Jan Antonin had to fight for his villa over his brother's disapproval.
Jan Antonin Bata, the brother of the factory founder, lived with his wife Marie Gerbecová and three daughters in a standard company house in a district called Bethlehem, which no longer exists. But the house was too cramped for a large family, so Jan Antonin Bata decided to build his own villa to move into. However, Tomas Bata insisted that his brother, whatever his position in the company, would live in a company house, just like other colleagues and directors. What would it look like if the boss's brother built a lavish mansion? A difference of opinion led the two brothers to a falling out, after which Jan Antonin briefly left the company.
He built his villa in the style of Kotěra's rational modernism in 1927 in Nadkostelí Street, now Osvoboditelů Street. Its greatest asset is the simple structure, which highlights the beauty of the unplastered bricks – typical Bata building material. The villa underwent several modifications during the 1930s and a ground floor house was built in the garden for Jan Antonin Bata's mother who lived there until her death in 1939.
Jan Antonin Bata left Zlín at the beginning of the war in 1939. His journey led him to the United States and later to Brazil where he stayed until his death in 1965. The villa, as well as all his property, was confiscated by the state. It housed the Union of Friends of the USSR, and a collective house with a nursery was built in the garden which completely overshadowed the smaller villa in its mass and size. From 1951 to the present day, Czech Radio Zlín (formerly Czechoslovak Radio) has been based here.
Did you know?
In 2010, Jan Antonin Bata Foundation was established and cooperates with his descendants in Brazil and the USA. It mainly focuses on documenting his life and work, participates in organising thematic conferences, seminars and lectures, and publishes Jan A. Bata's books.
Interesting facts
The rehabilitation of Jan Antonín Bata's name did not take place until 2007. For many years, there was a dispute over the return of the villa to the heirs, but the court rejected this claim in 2010 in favour of the state.
