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. Numerous good examples and the way cities look (at least the way the central areas of major cities do) make us forget that this quality does not come naturally or only from a different longer history compared to other former Eastern Bloc countries. In fact, it is often the result of a struggle with less fortunate conditions. Yes, even in the Czech Republic, planning collapsed at one point after 1989, public authority withdrew from urban planning, real estate speculation exploded, and social architecture almost completely disappeared.
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.
At first, we kept wondering which direction to steer the dossier: dedicated sections on public architecture, etc.? Focused on Prague and major cities vs. rural architecture? All were OK, but none were exciting. Osamu had the brilliant idea of discussing the phenomenon of small and medium-sized cities that have reinvented themselves through progressive administrations and a new generation of chief architects. The way these phenomena, along with a new strategy for architecture and a wave of competitions, have led to quality public architecture is discussed in more detail in his text. A theme related to these initiatives and smaller cities, sometimes at the physical edge of the country, other times simply in less visible, deindustrialized areas (especially internationally), began to take shape. I bet some of you haven’t heard of some of them, but they will become pilgrimage sites for architects and urban planners. We chose to include a few projects from Prague in this category but from outside the most central and affluent districts.
Most of the materials are directly linked to competitions. Very significant for a society on the right track, two of these examples are town halls – the one in Lázně Bělohrad (re:architekti) and the one in Prague’s 7th district (BOD Architekti) – and another is a library: IGI Vratislavice, Liberec (Atakarchitekti). We also have a contemporary art gallery in Ostrava (KWK Promes) and a very special architecture center – CAMP (NOT BAD). We included two projects with visionary private clients: a company headquarters in a town where glass has been produced for hundreds of years, Lasvit, Nový Bor (OVA), and the transformation of an industrial complex in Pardubice into a multifunctional district and an international cultural center.
It was not a primary criterion, but an inevitable one: except for the town hall in Lázně Bělohrad, all the other projects start from existing buildings, from structures of little value to historical houses, pre- and post-war icons; when they appear, completely new constructions would be unimaginable outside their context.
We also included a critical text: Tomas Zdvihal wrote about architectural competitions, how initiatives came from civil society and professional organizations, and how they are mainly supported at the local level. State involvement would be the next step – and not at all guaranteed today – for them to become a widespread procedure.
This is a magazine issue with Cinderellas that are already beginning to shine at the ball. I am glad I managed to visit all the projects and cities in this issue (except two), to talk to dozens of people, and now enjoy a more critically informed enthusiasm, less naive towards Czech post-socialism. But precisely because not everything is rosy and so many things that we know are repeating, the Czech lesson becomes more important for other countries in the region; and, in fact, for any place that has to manage on its own a lot and doesn’t know where to start. My admiration for the place and people has not diminished at all – it is just (I hope) better informed.
This dossier is the result of a partnership between the Czech Centres Prague, the Czech Centre Bucharest and Zeppelin.
It was also supported by mmcité and Škoda Romania
Special Thanks:
To Robin Ujfaluši, Director of the Czech Centres Bucharest. Robin loved this project, made it possible and supported it all the way
To: Sandra Karacsony, Hana Pištorová and Anna Hrabáčková from the Czech Centers, Prague. You showed me that intelligence, efficiency and kindness are general and permanent features in this organization
To all the authors and members of institutions that helped us with informations, discussions, feedback.
Zeppelin magazine #172 – Czechia (summer, 2024)
Extended summary – here
*Fb launching event
