In GJF, an exhibition titled Architecture & Inclusion is being prepared

“Architecture & Inclusion” presents contemporary European architecture reflecting social issues in society in the 21st century. The exhibition is a joint project of the EUNIC Cluster Czech Republic, Gallery Jaroslav Fragner, and cultural institutes or embassies, during which 10 countries will present various approaches and perspectives, possible solutions, and ideas in the field of social and cultural inclusion and integration. It expresses our participation and interest in the development of urban and social environments in Europe and can lay new foundations for further establishing contacts between European architects working on projects related to this theme. The project was created as part of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The exhibiting countries are Portugal, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Norway, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, and Sweden. The accompanying program for the exhibition includes lectures, presentations, debates, and workshops.


“What is the architecture of inclusion and what does it bring to the life of contemporary society? What does the term architecture of inclusion actually mean, and is it possible to translate this somewhat unclear phrase into Czech?… At this exhibition, you have a unique opportunity to become acquainted with projects of inclusion architecture across Europe. Although the individual exhibited projects differ in many ways, a broadly defined “social,” community, or ecological focus is common to all. They also share one more thing – in the exhibited projects, “enlightened thought” meets innovative and excellent architecture. It is only a matter of time before similar projects spread throughout the Czech lands – this exhibition aims to and could help with that.”                                                                                                            

The guarantor of our project is sociologist Jiří Ryba, and his contributions can be found in the lecture program. PhDr. Jiří Ryba studied at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague. From 1998 to 2004, he led a seminar in urban sociology at the Faculty of Architecture, Czech Technical University. In 2006, he published an introductory essay titled "The Family House as a Symbol of Success" in the book "Czech Housing, Houses. 77 Family Houses from 1989-2006" (2006, Prague, Prostor Publishing). He currently works as an expert editor at the Sociological Publishing House (SLON), participates in the activities of the Anna and Jaroslav Krejčík Research Foundation, and is involved with AULA REGIA. Recently, he served on the council of the Zbraslav district, where he also participated in projects that cultivate public spaces.


“The exhibition, conceived in connection with the ‘European Year of Inclusion and the Fight Against Poverty,’ presents an extensive series of works that are mutually connected by a common question: ‘What is the role of architecture in the emerging integration process, required by the phenomenon of immigration and multiculturalism in a globalized world?’... The intention of the ‘Architecture and Inclusion’ exhibition, which combines such a wide range of visions in both technical and aesthetic areas, is also to provide the broadest possible picture of diversity, the multitude of possibilities and concepts, and the excellent quality of what architects in each participant country do daily, their motivations and challenges, limitations and reflections in public and private projects. Thus, the exhibition strives to promote a healthy discussion about the current situation both among experts and of course between experts and the public, as it is clear that without people who use the buildings and call them ‘home,’ architecture has no meaning.”