Jiřičná: Kaplický's death is a personal tragedy and a loss for architecture

London - Today, the sudden death of Czech architect Jan Kaplický was described as an incredible personal tragedy by architect and former partner of Kaplický, Eva Jiřičná. She told ČTK that his death is an extraordinary loss for architecture and that concerns regarding the design for Prague's National Library may have contributed to it.
Kaplický's studio, Future Systems, has so far not wanted to comment, stating that it is waiting for the return of the company's co-owner and Kaplický's first wife, Amanda Levete, from abroad. "We received the news of Jan Kaplický's sudden death with deep sadness," said one of the company's directors, Alvin Huang, to ČTK.
The sadness over Kaplický's death was also expressed by world-renowned British architect Norman Foster. "I am shocked and devastated. Jan was a great architect, a respected colleague, and a good friend," Foster told ČTK. Kaplický worked with Foster at the turn of the 70s and 80s. Norman Foster is the author of dozens of famous projects, such as the reconstruction of the Berlin Reichstag.
"It is an incredible personal tragedy, as he died three hours after his daughter, whom he had been waiting for, was born," said the famous architect Jiřičná, who, like Kaplický, has been working in Britain since 1968. "He was in such ecstasy and joy when the child was about to be born. And at that moment, everything collapsed."
Kaplický died on Wednesday evening in Prague shortly after his second wife Eliška gave birth to their daughter Johanka.
"At the moment of greatest joy, his heart could not take it. At least he died at a moment when he was happy, and for that, one should be grateful," added Eva Jiřičná.
"It is an extraordinary loss for architecture, as he was always full of ideas, full of life, full of capabilities to work, create new projects, and come up with new thoughts," stated Jiřičná, who was Kaplický's partner in the 70s. "It is the saddest news in every respect."
Kaplický's death was "completely unexpected." "I do not know if he had ever had any health problems, except for the occasional flu," Jiřičná recalled. But she admitted that "he looked tired lately ... he had a lot on his plate."
According to her, the disputes surrounding the National Library "certainly contributed to his significant problems and worries." "He could not handle it without pain, without suffering. He suffered greatly from the failures and misunderstandings ... the whole affair, which became politicized. It definitely contributed to that."
"I am not a doctor, but there must be some connection," Jiřičná said, who chaired the jury that selected Kaplický's design. However, the Czech Chamber of Architects questioned the competition process, and Kaplický's project was criticized, among others, by President Václav Klaus, and subsequently, Prague politicians led by Mayor Pavel Bém and later Minister of Culture Václav Jehlička also turned away from the proposal.