Architecture with a Red Star - Without Stigmas and Prejudices. A conference mapping the architecture of the years 1948-1989 will be held in Prague

This year's professional conference Crossroads of Architecture has chosen an exceptionally attractive topic that has long divided society: the pros and cons of architecture from the period of socialist realism. "For nearly 40 years, buildings were created here that have left an indelible mark on our surroundings. Experts argue about whether it is a historical heritage that should be preserved or whether the buildings should disappear to make way for constructions according to current trends. The conference serves as a platform giving space to all sides of the ideological dispute. We will point out the issues related to the architecture of the past regime, the possibilities of protecting copyright, as well as unique solutions and buildings that were created during this time," explains the theme of the conference Daniel Bartoš, director of the exhibition management of the organizing company ABF.

The event's program is divided into two blocks, the first part is dedicated to the architectural heritage of the socialist era. Among the speakers will be Naďa Goryczková, general director of the National Heritage Institute, with a presentation titled “Protection and Restoration of Late Modernism Architecture.” “The fact that some building was created under totalitarian conditions certainly does not mean that it is automatically bad. Interesting architectural works were also created in the years 1948 – 1989. Certainly, also because their authors often did not respect the rules set by the regime,” Goryczková said in an interview for the magazine Building Forum. This opinion is shared by Jakub Potůček, who is in charge of modern and contemporary architecture at the National Gallery: “Today, no one claims that Gothic is worse than Renaissance or that our interwar architecture is better than that from 1948 – 1989. Buildings from all periods represent cultural heritage, evidence of the life and mindset of society, and for that reason alone, they deserve protection.”



In the second part of the program, the conference will focus on the possibilities of reconstruction, conversion, and presentation of specific case studies. Developers are pressuring local representatives in an effort to replace modern buildings from the past regime with shopping centers according to contemporary trends. However, both experts and the lay public are often against it. "In 2011, I started receiving letters from the professional public expressing their disapproval of the demolition of Banco (formerly the Uran department store) and the construction of a new shopping gallery in Česká Lípa. They demanded that I, as the mayor, prevent this because it is an important work by a significant architect. The catch was that the city never owned and does not own the department store. Moreover, it is not located in the city's heritage zone and unfortunately is not a monument protected by law. So from the perspective of existing laws, the local government cannot oppose the owner's intention. I believe that a similar problem with structures belonging to the category of modern architecture, which experts believe deserve protection, is not just a matter for Česká Lípa but for other cities and municipalities as well," describes the problem that will be discussed in her presentation at the conference Hana Moudrá, the mayor of Česká Lípa.

In a panel discussion, attendees will also be able to express their opinions on the future of the Lesná housing estate in Brno from the 1960s, which is an internationally recognized example of a successful unique settlement complex. Other examples of “socialist realism” presented at the conference include the Prague International Hotel, the Máj department store in Prague, and the building of the former Federal Assembly, whose public and non-public spaces will be accessible to conference participants as part of a guided tour.

The Crossroads of Architecture conference is intended for representatives of local government, state administration, architects, designers, urban planners, but also heritage protectors and contemporary developers. It is part of the professional accompanying program of the September construction fair FOR ARCH, which this year will focus on reconstruction and revitalization.

The general partner of the event is Beton Brož. “We provide comprehensive urban planning solutions for outdoor access space through our unique concrete elements. Similarly, the Crossroads of Architecture conference comprehensively addresses the sensitive topics of architecture and urbanism. Together we participate in shaping the environment around us,” says Libor Brož, director and owner of Beton Brož about the partnership.

Program of the Crossroads of Architecture Conference

• “Czech Architecture 1948 - 1989 and the European Context” (Mgr. Jakub Potůček, National Gallery in Prague)

• “Values of Architecture in the Second Half of the 20th Century” (prof. PhDr. Rostislav Švácha, CSc., Institute of Art History of the Czech Academy of Sciences)

• “Where Does the ‘Ugliness’ of Architecture from the Socialist Era Come From?” (Mgr. Slavomíra Ferenčuhová, Ph.D., Faculty of Social Studies MU in Brno)

• “Protection and Restoration of Late Modernism Architecture” (Mgr. Martin Strakoš, National Heritage Institute in Ostrava, Ing. arch. Naďa Goryczková, general director of the National Heritage Institute)

• “Heritage Protection of Buildings from the Second Half of the 20th Century” (Ing. Jana Dvořáková, Department of Heritage Care of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, PhDr. Anna Matoušková, deputy of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic)

• “Monuments from the Second Half of the 20th Century in Slovakia and the Attitude Towards Them” (prof. Ing. arch. Matúš Dulla, DrSc., FA ČVUT in Prague, USTARCH SAV Bratislava)

• “Presentation by Beton Brož” (Ing. David Hajíček, product advisor Beton Brož s.r.o.)

• “Experience of Local Government in Caring for Architecture from the Second Half of the 20th Century in Terms of Comprehensive Protection” (Ing. Miroslav Křídlo, Department of Heritage Care of the City of Ostrava, Ing. arch. Cyril Vltavský, ÚHA of the City of Ostrava)

• “International Hotel and Its Reconstruction” (Ing. arch. Michal Šourek, MS architects)

• “Uran Department Store, Česká Lípa: Protection vs. Owner's Intentions” (Mgr. Hana Moudrá, mayor of Česká Lípa, prof. Ing. arch. akad. arch. Emil Přikryl, AVU)

• “Máj vs. Quadrio - Confrontation of Two Perspectives” (Vincent Marani, Cigler Marani Architects, doc. Ing. arch. Radomíra Sedláková, CSc., National Gallery in Prague)

• “Lesná Housing Estate – A Unique Example of a Panel Residential Complex in Danger | Panel Discussion” (discussants: Ing. arch. Viktor Rudiš, co-author of the project, RUDIŠ - RUDIŠ architects s.r.o. / Mgr. Martin Maleček, Civic Association Obzor Lesná / JUDr. Tomáš Dobřichovský, Ph.D., Law Office Kříž and Partners s.r.o. / Ing. arch. Karel Doležel, ÚOP National Heritage Institute in Brno / addressed: representative of the City of Brno)

• “Former Federal Assembly as a Symbol of Architecture from the Socialist Era” (doc. Ing. arch. Radomíra Sedláková, CSc., National Gallery in Prague)