Exhibition "Living in the City" at GJF

Galerie Jaroslava Fragnera
Betlémské nám. 5 a, Prague 1
30.5. - 25.6.2006

Organizers: Center for Architecture, Faculty of Architecture VUT in Brno, GJF
Concept: Jakub Kynčl
Exhibition opening: May 29 at 6 PM
Supported by: Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, City of Prague, Foundation for Czech Architecture, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Prague, Austrian Cultural Forum, Pro Helvetia, Real Estate Karlin Group, Hewlett-Packard s.r.o., Legia, spol. s r.o., Gutta s.r.o.

The exhibition by author Jakub Kynčl was prepared by the CENTER FOR ARCHITECTURE for the Brno Gallery of Architecture. The exhibition, prepared as a traveling one, maps the current European architectural scene in the field of housing, showcasing how contemporary world architects approach housing solutions in European cities, how they respond to societal developments and its demands for housing, and demonstrates the possibilities and approaches to addressing the still relevant problem of housing.

Housing has always been one of the main building types, an important category that significantly influences the culture of a nation. Every era had different interests, preferences, and especially ideas about housing. Currently, we are experiencing a gradual return of interest in urban housing. However, changes in lifestyle and changes in the use of buildings are leading to the need for new or slightly modified building types.
The exhibition is accompanied by a publication by the author Ing. arch. Jakub Kynčl, Ph.D., (published by Era).

The exhibition, whose theme derives from the mentioned publication, will address the following issues:

• Renaissance of urban housing, seeking new housing possibilities
• Structural changes in society and the resulting changes in the organisms of cities
• New relationships and connections, the growing popularity and expansion of lofts, the use of former production sites for housing and other related functions, etc.
• Compact forms of housing - i.e., the convergence of family and apartment house types.
• Differentiation and connectivity of public and private space and their importance for perceiving the quality of housing.
• Cars, their place and functioning towards housing structures. The question of how to manage automobile traffic so that it does not destroy the urban environment and that the scale of cars does not overshadow the scale of humans.

The theme is presented through housing complexes from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Spain, Belgium, France, Greece, Finland, and the Czech Republic.

Presented houses and authors:
Prinsenhoex, Sittard - Neutelings & Riedijk
Sargfabrik, Vienna - BKK-2
Wimbergergasse, Vienna - Delugan_Meissl
Compact City, Vienna - BUS Architektur
Silodam, Amsterdam - MVRDV
Schoots 1+2, Groningen - S 333
Mirador, Madrid - MVRDV
Susenbergstrasse, Zurich - Gigon & Guyer / Switzerland
Vila domy, Neumannova, Brno - Tomáš Pilař
Wehrenbachhalde, Zurich - Burkhalter Sumi / Switzerland
Manuelstrasse, Bern - Büro B / Switzerland
Weidachstrasse, Schwarzach - Christian Lenz
Pagkrati, Athens - Panos Dragonas
5 Sphinxes, Huizen - Neutelings & Riedijk
Villa Mrázovka, Prague - DaM
Cité Saint Chaumont, Paris - Francis Soler
South Gallery House, Laufenburg - Burkhalter Sumi / Switzerland
Olzbündt, Dornbirn - Hermann Kaufmann
Red Treefrog, Bürmoos - Splitterwerk
Apartment Buildings, Litomyšl - Josef Pleskot
Housing for Immigrants, Bordeaux - Marzelle, Manescu, Steeg - MAAST
Broëlberg I, Kilchberg - Gigon & Guyer / Switzerland
Hollainhof, Ghent - Neutelings & Riedijk
Atriumhaus, Dornbirn - Gnaiger + Mössler
Carré, Breda - OMA
Kortekatu, Kuopio - Jarmo Pulkkinen
Hageneiland, Ypenburg - MVRDV
Paterna de Rivera, Cádiz - Mejías & Narváez
Eilandenbuurt, Almere - UN Studio
Pod Kozincem, Prague - ADR
Bloembollenhof, Vijfhuizen - S 333
Spittelhof, Biel-Benken - Peter Zumthor / Switzerland
Sporenburg, Amsterdam - Neutelings & Riedijk
Teichhofweg, Graz - Pentaplan
Borneo, Amsterdam - Joseph Luis Mateo
Bodenacher, Bremgarten - Atelier 5, d-company / Switzerland
Breevaarthoek, Gouda - KCAP
Mc Nair, Berlin - d-company / Switzerland
Patioeiland, Ypenburg - MVRDV