Architecture for fashion and function

The ongoing discussion about the quality of contemporary architecture in the Czech Republic, which many say hasn't yet reached the level of architecturally aware countries like Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries, will certainly be influenced by an exhibition called "Contemporary Czech Industrial" at the Jaroslav Fragner Gallery.

The exhibition shows some 40 buildings erected, with a few exceptions, since the year 2000. As one of the curators, Petr Volf, said, "If I didn't know in advance where the buildings presented at the exhibition stood, I could think they belonged to Dutch, Austrian or Scandinavian production."

At least one of the buildings in the exhibition looks superbly futuristic, like a cosmic station based on the moon. Perhaps surprisingly, it is one of the oldest buildings in the exhibition, having been built in the '90s. It is the Central Warehouse "H" of Jihomoravská Plynárenská by A Plus Studio. If you approach Brno from Prague by train, you can hardly miss this building on the right side of the tracks just a few minutes before the train's arrival at Brno's main station. Especially when the weather conditions are favorable, the reflections of sunlight off the building make the architecture shine brightly. It is also interesting how the structural and the aesthetic resonate in the design of this building, which features four towers holding the roof with tie cables so the inner space is absolutely clear and without any necessary space divisions.

Sonberk Winery is an apt example of how architecture can co-exist in a productive symbiosis with the landscape. South Moravia, known as the best place for wine in the Czech Republic, obviously hasn't ignored the global trend of attracting customers not only by charming their taste buds but also their eyes, with quality architecture. All around the world, one can see famous architects like Zaha Hadid, Herzog & de Meuron and Norman Foster participating in this trend.  

It would be excessive to compare the fame and reputation of local architects with these world-renowned names, but the Sonberk Winery building by Czech architecture authority Josef Pleskot can bear the comparison. It is difficult to think about this building in terms of industry, because of its gentle and sensitive approach to its surroundings and combination of wood, stone, concrete and decorated corrugated sheets on the roof.  

"It is beautifully interlocked with the landscape," Volf said. "Contemporary architecture is diverse, and the same applies for industrial genre. Buildings we focused on are nonetheless related through natural effort to be in maximum harmony with their locality. These buildings are often ecological."

Many other designers deserve mention because they also reach high levels of quality, especially the studio D3A, led by gifted architects Stanislav Fiala, Jaroslav Zima and Tomáš Prouza, whose designs belong to the very best that have been built in the past two decades. But it should be added that no good architecture would have a chance to be built without an intelligent builder and investor. It is a pleasure and a relief to observe the rising numbers of the intelligentsia who don't regret using their money, time and effort to create quality architecture.

For those who can't make it to the gallery, the exhibition is still accessible through a well-prepared Czech and English catalog, which includes four short introductory essays and a description of each building in the exhibition. The closing section of the catalog, where investors answer questions about what moved them to effectively collaborate with quality architects, could serve as a valuable lesson for others.

Filip Šenk can be reached at
fsenk@praguepost.com