The Budějovice exhibition showcases the competition designs of awarded architects

České Budějovice - An exhibition by British architects Adam Caruso and his colleague Peter St John, holders of numerous architectural awards, has opened at the House of Art in České Budějovice. In recent days, they received the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best British building of 2016. The exhibition titled 33 Competitions, 6 Projects presents a selection of competition designs created by the Caruso St John studio over 26 years of practice.

"We have always participated in many architectural competitions, in recent years between five and ten each year. The competition process is challenging, risky, and frustrating and inevitably involves a high probability of failure," the exhibition's authors stated. "Most designs do not win first prize and buildings based on them are not constructed. These designs are rarely pulled from the drawer and maintain their private character while also representing the true dreams of the architect," they added.

The RIBA Stirling Prize was awarded in 2016 to the Newport Street Gallery, which was created by the transformation of three old industrial buildings. The award is decided by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The Caruso St John studio was also a finalist for the Stirling Prize in 2000 and 2006, in addition to this year's victorious tour.

According to both architects, who will be exhibiting in České Budějovice, the number of projects they have created as competition designs could fill an imaginary city with museums, public spaces, residential and commercial quarters, as well as stadiums and cemeteries.

"This exhibition is an opportunity to reflect on the position of the competition design in relation to the realized building, and brings these realities closer together. They then become almost inseparable in the mind of their creator," they said.

In the first exhibition room, for example, there is a board shaped like a city, consisting of five large models, a completed building, and one model - whose design is currently being developed - as well as three unsuccessful competition designs.

Adam Caruso and Peter St John founded their studio in 1990, which is now behind several remarkable buildings. At first glance, one could speak of "ordinary architecture." The initial projects were characterized by considerable austerity, which was later replaced by very sensitive inspiration from history, resisting precise dating. Another strong source of inspiration for them is contemporary art, as they do not attempt to blur the boundary between visual art and architecture.

They have numerous buildings and competition projects behind them, as well as exhibitions, publishing, and educational activities, and they are holders of several significant awards. For example, for the realization of the Gallery of Contemporary Art in Walsall (2000) and the Brick House in London (2006).