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Merging art, nature and architecture

Josef Pleskot channels artistic ambitions into tall buildings

By Brooke Edge
For The Prague Post
March 21st, 2007 issue

VLADIMÍR WEISS/THE PRAGUE POST
Josef Pleskot turned to architecture at 18. He is still running his own firm, AP Atelier.
The world is full of frustrated artists. Most abandon their dreams of painting, sketching or sculpture for “a real job.” Some shelve them until retirement. Others might choose to simply buy a van Gogh print to frame over the living-room sofa.
Josef Pleskot decided to explore his artistic ambitions through a completely different medium — architecture.
“Originally, I wanted to be an artist,” the south Bohemian native admits during a recent interview in his sprawling Prague 7 office space.
Pleskot says he realized early on that he might not have what it takes to be a titan of the art world. And so, he turned to architecture, moving to Prague when he was 18 to study the craft. Years later, he’s still here, managing the architecture firm he founded in 1991, AP Atelier.
“Of course this city is inspiring,” Pleskot says. “Although I was not born in Prague, I feel like a Prague citizen.”
Evidence of Pleskot’s inspiration can be seen in some of the city’s most popular and recognizable locations. They range from tremendous corporate buildings and conference rooms to private homes and national landmarks. Highlights include buildings at the Prague Zoo and the Deer Moat tunnel at Prague Castle, a project commissioned by former President Václav Havel in the late ’90s to help make the castle grounds available and impressive.
Pleskot’s most recently completed project was for the bank ČSOB. The impressive structure is, according to Pleskot, one of the country’s largest office buildings.
“I am in search of diverse projects. I wouldn’t be challenged by repetition,” Pleskot says. “I am proud of the fact that these projects are diverse.”
COURTESY PHOTO
Pleskot tries to blend his designs into their natural surroundings. Some of his favorite materials include wood, glass and metals.
The 54-year-old, who renovated his own office space from an old Holešovice factory building once owned by his great uncle, says he finds the same feeling of adventure in a 10 million Kč ($470,000) project as he does in a 2 billion Kč project.
Many have noted and praised the consistent use of minimalism and natural materials in Pleskot’s work. Take, for example, the ČSOB office building. Pleskot collaborated with the British environmental architecture firm Buro Happold on the project to seamlessly blend the massive complex in with its natural surroundings.
“It’s true, I like natural materials,” Pleskot says, quickly ticking off his favorites: concrete, stone, wood, glass and metals “transformed by fire.”
“I trust these materials,” he adds. “It was a simple energy process that created [them].”
Pleskot has the ruddy face and athletic presence of someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, enjoying these materials in their element. Pleskot’s affinity for nature continuously finds its way into his work in the form of gardens and landscape architecture. One of his recent projects for the Prague Zoo, for instance, included a tree growing through the structure’s roof.
“It’s such a broad field that architecture has to take into account,” he says. “So you wouldn’t be able to work without the help of these fields.” Considering the complexity and uniqueness of every project — whether it be a new building for the zoo or renovating an old brewery into apartment units — is what makes each work “harmonic,” Pleskot says.
AP Atelier

Komunardů 5
Prague 7
Tel.: 220 876 201
Web: www.arch.cz/pleskot
E-mail: atelier@apatelier.cz

This devotion to harmony and creating the best possible structures for the human experience is how Pleskot managed to integrate his love of art into his professional life. The line between career and personal ventures also blends for Pleskot with the visual arts, which he likes to showcase both in his home and the gallery he built within the AP Atelier office building.
In his gallery, Pleskot says he exhibits works by artists he respects and draws inspiration from. It is an entirely charitable space, open for schools and students to visit and for artists to display their talent to friends and clients. Pleskot says he takes pleasure in being able to exhibit artists’ works for a long time and free of charge. Last month, Pleskot’s gallery featured works by Czech artist Jiří David. Pleskot says he invited David to install his paintings and sculptures in the gallery, because he found a calming effect in the works. The architect will often stop by his gallery, only steps from his desk, before leaving for home each evening. He likes to end the day on an artistic note, and he says the visits also help to clear his head.
“Architecture is art,” Pleskot says, “but I wouldn’t like to call myself an artist.” An admirer and patron of the arts, surely, but Pleskot says he prefers to keep the term “artist” for those with skills he’s admired since youth.
Naďa Černá contributed to this report.

Brooke Edge can be reached at specialsection@praguepost.com


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