The most comprehensive book on Hradec Králové modern architecture is being published

Hradec Králové - The most extensive publication so far on modern architecture in Hradec Králové titled "The Structure of the City in Green: Modern Architecture in Hradec Králové" is being published by Pravý úhel. The author is art historian Ladislav Zikmund-Lender. The publisher is releasing the book in collaboration with the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Hradec Králové. The book's launch will take place in Hradec Králové on May 9. The author Ladislav Zikmund-Lender informed ČTK about this.

The book presents the works of individual architects in the city across 20 chapters, showcases various modern styles, and also addresses the preservation of modern architecture. It does not overlook modern spiritual architecture and the architecture of contemporary schools. Most of the more than 300 photographs are by Jiří Zikmund, who has been documenting the city for the book for over two years.

“I find the chapters on Otakar Novotný, Vladimír Zákrej and Heinrich Kulka to be the most interesting, as I try to integrate their works in Hradec into a broader Central European context. However, the book also offers a number of other discoveries,” Zikmund stated. He considers it admirable that despite significant opinion diversity among architects, project clients, and the residents of Hradec at that time, it was possible to create a harmonious image of the city.

The book summarizes nearly eight years of research on modern architecture in Hradec. It focuses on famous names such as Jan Kotěra and Josef Gočár, local architects like Oldřich Liska and Jan Rejchl, and also presents new themes. Among these are the local park modifications by František Thomayer, the Hradec engagements of Theodor Petřík, Otakar Novotný, and Jindřich Freiwald, and it also explores how cubism and functionalism manifested in the then rural town.

In addition to representations of contemporary ensembles and details of individual buildings, the book includes historical photographs, plans, and designs provided by more than ten archives, museums, and other institutions. Many of the historical illustrations are reproduced for the very first time.

The first launch will take place in Hradec Králové at the City Library on Wednesday, May 9, at 5:00 PM, and the second launch in Prague at the Juditina věž bookstore on Monday, May 14, at 6:00 PM. At both events, the book will be available at a discounted price. The book will be distributed nationwide in all bookstores.