Launching during one of London's busiest weeks in the design calendar, a new exhibition courtesy of the London Czech Centre offers an architectural alternative to the capital's packed schedule of September events. Opening on the 16th, 'Czech Houses' unlocks the doors to some of the country's best contemporary homes.
The exhibition, curated by Ondřej Beneš, Ján Stempel and Jan Jakub Tesař and inspired by their 2014 book of the same name, takes a look at the work of 33 local architects, presenting the huge breadth and diversity of contemporary design that has slowly been emerging across the Czech Republic since 1989. These houses range from stone and timber country retreats, to hyper-modern De Stijl-inspired cottages and Corten clad suburban pads.
Featuring architects such as OK PLAN, HŠH and 3+1, the variety of work exhibited depicts a country that has gone through significant political and social change over the years, and the exhibition captures the important role that architecture plays in expressing these fast paced developments. As the curators explain, 'in the period up until 1989, the building of family homes was suppressed; therefore the development of family homes, including their quality is a significant measure of the transformation that Czech society has undergone'.
'Czech Houses' highlights the country as a place to watch as its contemporary architecture scene blossoms. The show will run from 16–25 September at 12 Star Gallery in London; respected Czech architectural theorist Adam Gebrian will be giving a talk on the opening night.
The exhibition is curated by Ondřej Beneš, Ján Stempel and Jan Jakub Tesař and is inspired by their 2014 book of the same name. Pictured: inspired by vernacular Czech architecture, this family house in Česky Ráj by Stempel and Tesar Architects uses both wood and stone to reference the region's barns, combined with large, glazed strips that drag the design into the 21st century
The show takes a look at the work of 33 local architects, presenting a huge breadth and diversity of the country's contemporary design. Pictured: the Rusty House in Humpolec by architects OK PLAN, is a surprising twist on the more traditional rendered brick facades of its suburban neighbours. Its cladding is made of bright red Corten steel
Featuring architects such as OK PLAN, HŠH and 3+1, the variety of work exhibited depicts a country that has gone through significant political and social change over the years. Pictured: the black lines and coloured blocks of this country cottage in Vanov by 3+1 Architects hint at De Stijl, making the house stand out in its rustic surroundings. A wall made of logs on the ground level pays homage to the more traditional cottage it replace
The exhibition captures the important role that architecture plays in expressing these fast paced developments. Pictured: this house in Cikvášky by Archteam is a contemporary take on the rural barn, clad in corrugated metal panels externally, but featuring wood inside
'In the period up until 1989, the building of family homes was suppressed,' explain the curators. 'Therefore the development of family homes, including their quality is a significant measure of the transformation that Czech society has undergone.' Pictured: designed as a 3D grid composed of 24 separate cubes, this modular steel-framed family house in Beroun by HŠH architects is clad in concrete and glass panels
INFORMATION
’Czech Houses’ will be on view at 12 Star Gallery from 16–25 September
ADDRESS
12 Star Gallery
Europe House
32 Smith Square
London SW1P 3EU
-
A first look inside Archives of Us, a secret café hidden in Downtown LAArchives of Us is a contemporary café opening in Downtown LA boasting crisp interiors by Studio/ JIALUN XIONG who crafted a caffeinated sanctuary away from the city rush
-
Teresa Pągowska's dreamy interpretations of the female form are in London for the first time‘Shadow Self’ in Thaddaeus Ropac’s 18th-century townhouse gallery in London, presents the first UK solo exhibition of Pągowska’s work
-
We preview Expo 2025 Osaka: what to expect and who will be thereExpo 2025 Osaka prepares to throw open its doors in April; we preview the world festival, its developments and highlights
-
Manchester United and Foster + Partners to build a new stadium: ‘Arguably the largest public space in the world’The football club will spend £2 billion on the ambitious project, which co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has described as the ‘world's greatest football stadium’
-
An architect’s own home offers a refined and leafy retreat from its East London surroundingsStudioshaw has completed a courtyard house in amongst a cluster of traditional terraced houses, harnessing the sun and plenty of greenery to bolster privacy and warmth
-
The museum of the future: how architects are redefining cultural landmarksWhat does the museum of the future look like? As art evolves, so do the spaces that house it – pushing architects to rethink form and function
-
'Bold and unapologetic', this contemporary Wimbledon home replaces a 1970s house on siteThis grey-brick Wimbledon home by McLaren Excell is a pairing of brick and concrete, designed to be mysterious
-
The little-known story of Welsh modernism'Cabin Crew', a new book published this spring by The Modernist, brings the spotlight to Cardiff-based practice Hird & Brooks
-
This modern Cotswolds home draws on its ancient woodland contextThis contemporary Cotswolds home, designed by NCA Architecture with interiors by Echlin, is a slice of the Mediterranean in the English countryside
-
A Danish twist, compact architecture, and engineering magic: the Don’t Move, Improve 2025 winners are hereDon’t Move, Improve 2025 announces its winners, revealing the residential projects that are rethinking London living
-
This Hampstead house renovation in London transcends styles and periodsThe renovation of a Hampstead house in London by Belgian architect Hans Verstuyft bridges the classic and the contemporary
