Brněnský architektonický manuál - představení publikace

A new member has joined the family of printed guides! Brno Architectural Manual. The guide to architecture from 1900 to 1918 is the culmination of another, already the third research phase, reflecting the transformation of Brno into a modern metropolis at the beginning of the 20th century, particularly the building boom in the very historic core, where over two hundred buildings were demolished after 1896. In the context of the Czech lands, this was the largest demolition project that significantly changed the appearance of the historic core of the city, around which a series of representative public buildings were constructed. At the same time, new residential neighborhoods were developed in the broader central area. Significant construction development was also recorded in the cities directly neighboring Brno, namely Královo Pole, Husovice, and the municipality of Žabovřesky, which became part of Greater Brno in 1919.

The publication is conceived as a topographical guide to the city and covers 184 buildings by various authors (Dušan Jurkovič, Bohumír Čermák, Franz Pawl, Ferdinand Hrach, Leopold Bauer, Hubert Gessner, and others) and various typologies (public and sacred buildings, commercial and residential houses, villas…), representing a diverse architectural vocabulary from eclecticism through Art Nouveau to cubist modernism. The objects are arranged into ten trails and seven smaller excursions, each trail is illustrated with contemporary and historical maps, and information on public transport accessibility is also included.

The editor of the book is architectural historian Lucie Valdhansová, who was involved in previous volumes documenting the periods 1918–1945 and 1946–1989, and the introductory essay was prepared by historian Michal Konečný. Individual entries were worked on by Šárka Bahounková, Pavla Cenková, Dagmar Černoušková, Aleš Filip, Aleš Homola, Jindřich Chatrný, Martin Koplík, Karolína Králiková, Matěj Kruntorád, Veronika Lukešová, Šárka Svobodová, Lucie Valdhansová, and Jana Vránová. The author of most contemporary photographs is Tomáš Souček. The atmosphere of the city at the beginning of the 20th century is complemented by period images from the prominent Brno photographer Josef Kunzfeld (1842–1915).

The book will be presented by editor Lucie Valdhansová together with Pavla Cenková on April 10, 2025, at 5 PM at the House of Arts in Brno (Malinovského Square 2); the launch is part of the Brno Art Week program.