Modern materials and Frank's architecture

The architect Zdeněk Fránek, based in Brno, decided to continuously evaluate his existing work throughout 2007. He published two book monographs and organized an extensive exhibition of his realizations and current works at the Fragner Gallery in Prague. The publication titled Buildings was created with the financial support of the largest domestic producer of aerated concrete, Xella CZ.

“Those who are involved in architecture will certainly have noticed that Xella is a traditional partner of quality domestic architecture. We strive to support interesting educational projects, and in the case of Zdeněk Fránek's monograph, the collaboration was doubly beneficial. This book exhibition of contemporary architecture is also an excellent showcase of the diverse possibilities of the YTONG building system, which Fránek's buildings extensively utilize,” describes the sponsorship of the book by marketing manager Ivana Havlíčková from Xella CZ.
The book Stavby / Buildings is a paperback, bilingual, and includes a selection of eight of Fránek's most significant buildings. The editor of the book, Jiří Horský, approached the textual accompaniment to the presented buildings in a very unconventional way. He conducted interviews with individual builders and his records illustrate the story of the house's creation. Excellent photographs by Ester Havlová and Filip Šlapal highlight the editor's outstanding work. At the end of the book, the presentation of the Zdeněk Fránek studio is completed with a biography, a review of references, and an interview taken from the magazine Architekt. There is also space for reprinting selected reviews of Fránek’s buildings.
The second book Perspectives is a representative catalog for the author's exhibition in Prague, and its scope is double that of the first publication. The book is hardbound and, in addition to completed projects, includes unrealized or current projects. Many of the projects carry the same conceptual charge as Fránek's best realizations, and it is good that the author has dug them out from the archive for the second publication and presented them to the public.
We shall see if Fránek's strategy in publishing book monographs will resonate with his exhibition activities as well. After the Prague exhibition, Fránek's second exhibition should take place in 2008 at the Brno House of Art. The number of current projects being processed in the author's studio at Kamenné 13 suggests an unprecedented experience.

Concrete House, Prague

Xella International GmbH is one of the leaders in the European and global building materials market. With approximately 7,400 employees worldwide, it achieves an annual turnover exceeding 1.2 billion euros. Among the most well-known products of the Xella group is the white aerated concrete brand YTONG. In the Czech Republic, Xella CZ operates. Each year, 300 employees in three Czech plants produce approximately 1,000,000 m³ of this precise building material. Xella CZ also specializes in other silicate products sold under the SILKA brand. In addition to the brands YTONG and SILKA, the international group also includes FERMACELL (gypsum fiberboards), HEBEL (materials for industrial buildings), AESTUVER (fireproof boards), and MULTIPOR (mineral insulation boards). More information about Xella CZ can be found at www.xella.cz, while information about the entire group can be found at www.xella.com

> Company Xella CZ's page in the catalog

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> Exhibition Zdeněk Fránek – PERSPECTIVES
> First Architekturloge in the Czech Republic - launch of Z. Fránek's book

Zdeněk Fránek: Perspectives picture

Zdeněk Fránek: Perspectives
Fránek architects, 2007
Our price: 810 Kč (shipping time: up to 7 days)

Zdeněk Fránek: Stavby / Buildings picture

Zdeněk Fránek: Stavby / Buildings
Fránek architects, 2007
Our price: 510 Kč (shipping time: up to 7 days)