We at Zeppelin are very interested in the Czech Republic. This interest is not just about architecture but also comes from a long-standing fascination and sympathy. In 2007, we published a special issue dedicated to the Czech Republic, edited by Osamu Okamura (then editor-in-chief of the architecture magazine Era 21) and our colleague Mihai Duțescu. Many things have happened since then, and we somehow didn’t manage to publish many separate projects over these years. It was clear we needed a second episode. Here it is, also in partnership with the Czech Center Bucharest and with Osamu Okamura as co-editor.

Text: Osamu Okamura
Photo (up): KWK.Promes: PLATO Contemporary Art Gallery, Ostrava ©Juliusz Sokołowski

Edito + Intro (I): New Architecture and Urban Regeneration in Czechia

Text: Ștefan Ghenciulescu

The Czech Republic is one of those fortunate countries where the quality of architecture and public space seems inversely proportional to the size of its territory and population.

Interview: Ștefan Ghenciulescu
Photography in the factories: Marius Vasile

Introduction. Three discussions about design, industry, and strategies

The house in Mogoșoaia lies is in an average-density, mainly residential area, with low-rise individual houses. The rectangular plot, its short sides to the north and south, is situated between the Mogoșoaia forest and lake, neighbouring the sports complex of the same name.

A Jewish family in ’30s Prague. A great architect. A historical tragedy. Then another one. An adventure-book discovery. A retrieval and a rebuilding with one’s own hands. Today, a living house.

The biggest architectural event of the year in South-East Europe is coming up.

Text: Cristian Bădescu, Vlad Dumitrescu
Foto: Vlad Dumitrescu, Marius Vasile, Cristian Bădescu, arhiva fam. Cocioabă

De-cityfication: the reality of expanding urban characteristics outside cities, paradoxically leading to un-city-like forms of urbanism.

The extension of an industrial building in the Swiss city of Winterthur. „Extending the Cycle” project received the Global and the European Prize at the 2021 Holcim Awards – the main global competition for sustainable design.

The Serpentine House (Finnish: Käärmetalo) is one of the best-known residential developments in post-war Helsinki – among other merits, it has been listed by DOCOMOMO as a significant example of modern architecture in Finland.

Seaweed on the roof, and bricks filled-in with earth from the building site excavation. This small and compact dwelling block happily blends timeless rationalism and regionalism, climate- and social appropriate thinking and smart inventions. A model.