Karel Hubáček: On the Work of the Architect

The problems of architectural creation are not written about very often, architects rarely, and their obligations to their own craft never.

One of the basic problems of generalizing architectural results is timidly pointed out, as it is excessively burdened by secondary issues of construction, which has led production to a greater weight than it should have in society. The analysis and formulation of social needs depend on the professionalism of the investor. He must find an objective answer as to why to build this or that. The actual act of building is a professional production, a service to fulfill the desired social need. The task of architecture is to seek the answer to how to fulfill that 'why'.

The answer arises from the conditions of the time, its development, economy, general mentality, morality, knowledge, as well as from the faith and dedication of the creator in his profession. It simultaneously grows from social and economic possibilities. Therefore, the question of measure is decisive. Measures of society that bring creative motivations not only on a large scale but also in modest dimensions for everyday needs. For this reason, architecture is a significant indicator of social conditions.

To create also means to know. To know comprehensively. To be able to sort and assess most of the basic information that should precede direct creation. In the analysis of social dependencies, the answer is sought to the question of what should actually be created and why. That is the goal of creation. Therefore, objective analysis of related problems - matter-of-fact, clear, economically justified, with the effort to recognize tomorrow's social ties. Without emotions, promoting partial or personal interests, preferential treatment, or the abuse of social status. Before knowing the answers to what creation should bring, what it should solve, it is unreasonable to think about how we will do it. A clarified entry into creation can largely bring an acceptable solution to the goal, even if the share of artistry will be a certain disappointment. In the case of an unclear goal and good creation, we miss the social objective. We build unnecessary or only partially usable buildings. Only a building that multiplies the resources invested in it enriches society with its purpose.

But even a well-investigated building, with supplier support and full social conditions, may not meet the expected goal, because one of the obstacles to architectural creation can be the creator himself.

He has a difficult craft. But also one great advantage. He starts with a blank sheet of paper. To the blank sheet of paper - a clean soul. Only a clean soul leads to dedication and protection of the profession. The profession is the creator's faith. He must defend it. He must defend it first and foremost within himself. One must serve the craft, not just use it as a means of production for one's own benefit. A decent craft leads to humility, sensitivity, open-mindedness, modesty, inner strength, and service. Craft should be valued. It is granted to us. It elevates us if we serve it. The one who is a creator, therefore close to art, does not need to express himself through cunning, fanfares, fashion, fixed ideas, or artificially created problems. Ostentation, arrogance, flattery, and mannerism is the surface of the craft. It indicates an author’s lack of internal strength. It leads to satisfaction with material possessions. Then to the fear of losing a favorable contract. It is mutilation. Covering the mutilation with a shiny coat. Promoting the work through one's own dictatorship of taste. Leaning on claims. This is the abuse of creation for personal glitter. The loss of humility, self-control. The acquisition of cowardice. The overshadowing of oneself. Every creator reaches points of divergence, from which paths lead ordinary, better, embellished, and golden. The ordinary one is the hardest. It requires honor.

Creative craft is a voluntary burden. A burden also because the current results of creation, apart from the judgments of the present, are compared with the results of the past. The present is short. The past is long and uncompromising. What has passed its judgment is attractive, instructive, invoking respect, reverence, and humility - it demonstrates the superiority of creative power or the triumph of a carrying idea over the difficulties that have accompanied every era more or less. Once our present becomes the past, those works will stand out that will deserve the same respect for the future present. And they will only be works when the human creator has overcome himself, the objective and non-objective obstacles of his time.

Every creation is part of the life cycle. Life itself cannot be confined to individual enclosures, even if they are glittering. The essence of architectural creation lies in the effort for harmony between thought and need. In the effort to facilitate the transformation of human thinking. Not in its imposition. The attempts to correct life even in good faith are only dreamy.

It is a pity that a person notices respect for the craft so late. He notes horizons he could not see before and realizes that there are horizons he can no longer reach.

The time for maturation, for mistakes, for creative blindness is long. The time to clarify one's faith in reason is long. Because only reasonable and honest creation can lead us to solutions of greater validity than our satisfaction.