JFK 2009 - statement of the jury

- it is good that students organize their own competition, where they invite independent architects from practice to be on the jury for evaluating their semester works. I had the opportunity to participate in such a jury, and I see such a competition as motivational towards better performance and healthy rivalry. It is always very complicated to select the best work and thus the "one" from a large number of projects with different briefs, diverse categories of architecture, and varied site tasks. Where there might be a common criterion or standard for assessing and evaluating the works, it may only be found in the students' approach to the given problem, their mental freshness, perspective, persistence, a certain untamed nature, and the absence of mundanity when addressing the issue at hand. I expected that all the submitted works would look at me like this and scream, and I must admit that only a small number of projects radiated this "playfulness and freshness." However, I would like to state that there was no project that could be termed a flop, and I assess the overall level as good and adequate for the Liberec school. Some may find my judgment more critical, but it is because, more than anyone else, "unburdened students" should bring a shift and a breath of fresh air to this craft.

I would like to convey to the students (not only those from Liberec) more courage, rebellion, experimentation, wildness, daringness, flamboyance, openness, and spark……… who other than YOU! or YOU. HOW TO TAKE JEŠTĚD OUT OF THE CAGE? THAT IS, AFTER ALL, YOUR SECRET! – KEEP IT!