Pavla Melková: The Humanistic Role of Architecture - the launch of a new book
The launch of the new book by architect and theorist Pavla Melková will take place in Prague's VI PER gallery on Wednesday January 25, 2016, at 7:00 PM.
The book The Humanist Role of Architecture loosely follows the author's previous book Experiencing Architecture. Reflections on the Humanist Role of Architecture are based on the view that its absence or insufficient fulfillment lies at the core of many problems in today's built environment. The individual texts address fundamental questions: what is the significance of the humanist dimension of architecture today and what causes its absence, what qualities of architecture fulfill it, and through what paths, forms, and tools can it be fulfilled, while also emphasizing the position of the architectural profession in this process. The humanist dimension of architecture is found in qualities that transcend its utilitarian and technical dimensions, such as the communicative ability of architecture, the embodiment and articulation of social and cultural context, ethical function, representational and symbolic role, residential, or aesthetic quality. These questions are explored in the book through themes of the role of architecture in society, the role of the architect profession, the significance of public space in the city, or the issue of heritage care. This is not merely theoretical reflection, but also a reflection of Pavla Melková's experiences as a practicing architect, co-author of implementations at the MCA studio, and in recent years also the director of the City Detail Section at the Institute of Planning and Development of the City of Prague.
Ing. arch. Pavla Melková, Ph.D. (1964) is a practicing architect who is also engaged in artistic and theoretical activities. She is a holder of a Fulbright scholarship. She was nominated for the Architect of the Year 2014 award. Since 1996, she has been a partner with Miroslav Cikán in the MCA studio, established in 1996. The studio has received numerous awards for its projects, including the Grand Prix Architecture 2012 main award and the nomination for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2013, as well as victories in competitions such as the Revitalization of the Bastion at Boží muk and the Jan Palach Memorial in Všetaty. In 2012, Pavla Melková founded the Public Space Office at the Institute of Planning and Development of the City of Prague, which she leads, and since 2013 has been directing the City Detail Section there. Since 2015, she has been the head of the Concept and Interpretation course at the Faculty of Architecture. She is the author of the books Bastion XXXI U Božích muk (MCA 2012), Experiencing Architecture (Arbor vitae 2013), A Table by the Window, On the Table a Book (Arbor vitae 2014), Space for Humanity in the Work of Michal Škoda (Arbor vitae 2016), among others, and she also publishes in professional journals such as Zlatý řez, Architekt, and Stavba.
At the launch, it will be possible to purchase the book (along with the recently published book Space for Humanity in the Work of Michal Škoda) at a discounted price.
The book launch will be accompanied by a musical performance by Trevor Linde.
More information >
The book The Humanist Role of Architecture loosely follows the author's previous book Experiencing Architecture. Reflections on the Humanist Role of Architecture are based on the view that its absence or insufficient fulfillment lies at the core of many problems in today's built environment. The individual texts address fundamental questions: what is the significance of the humanist dimension of architecture today and what causes its absence, what qualities of architecture fulfill it, and through what paths, forms, and tools can it be fulfilled, while also emphasizing the position of the architectural profession in this process. The humanist dimension of architecture is found in qualities that transcend its utilitarian and technical dimensions, such as the communicative ability of architecture, the embodiment and articulation of social and cultural context, ethical function, representational and symbolic role, residential, or aesthetic quality. These questions are explored in the book through themes of the role of architecture in society, the role of the architect profession, the significance of public space in the city, or the issue of heritage care. This is not merely theoretical reflection, but also a reflection of Pavla Melková's experiences as a practicing architect, co-author of implementations at the MCA studio, and in recent years also the director of the City Detail Section at the Institute of Planning and Development of the City of Prague.
Ing. arch. Pavla Melková, Ph.D. (1964) is a practicing architect who is also engaged in artistic and theoretical activities. She is a holder of a Fulbright scholarship. She was nominated for the Architect of the Year 2014 award. Since 1996, she has been a partner with Miroslav Cikán in the MCA studio, established in 1996. The studio has received numerous awards for its projects, including the Grand Prix Architecture 2012 main award and the nomination for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2013, as well as victories in competitions such as the Revitalization of the Bastion at Boží muk and the Jan Palach Memorial in Všetaty. In 2012, Pavla Melková founded the Public Space Office at the Institute of Planning and Development of the City of Prague, which she leads, and since 2013 has been directing the City Detail Section there. Since 2015, she has been the head of the Concept and Interpretation course at the Faculty of Architecture. She is the author of the books Bastion XXXI U Božích muk (MCA 2012), Experiencing Architecture (Arbor vitae 2013), A Table by the Window, On the Table a Book (Arbor vitae 2014), Space for Humanity in the Work of Michal Škoda (Arbor vitae 2016), among others, and she also publishes in professional journals such as Zlatý řez, Architekt, and Stavba.
At the launch, it will be possible to purchase the book (along with the recently published book Space for Humanity in the Work of Michal Škoda) at a discounted price.
The book launch will be accompanied by a musical performance by Trevor Linde.
More information >
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