In memory of Rajniš and Fuchs, with respect to the Chamber of Architects

Prague - The Honor of the Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA) was awarded posthumously to functionalist creator Bohuslav Fuchs and Martin Rajniš, the author of wooden structures and unconventional solutions. The Chamber grants this award to individuals in the field who have significantly contributed to the modern history of Czech architecture through their work and moral credibility. The last two laureates of the ČKA will be announced today at the nomination evening of the Czech Architecture Prize at the Archa Theatre. This was communicated to ČTK by ČKA spokesperson Tereza Zemanová.

Bohuslav Fuchs (1895 to 1972) received the ČKA Honor for the year 2015, and Martin Rajniš for 2016. The Chamber has been granting the honor since 2000; however, due to organizational reasons, it was not awarded since 2015, when Věra Machoninová received it for 2014. According to the spokesperson, the Chamber plans to award the honor for 2017 later this year and return to an annual cycle.

"Bohuslav Fuchs is among the exceptional personalities who contributed to the emergence of modern architecture and urbanism of the 20th century with their courage, diligence, and talent. In his versatile and extensive work, he applied progressive spatial and layout solutions inspired by new constructions and materials and simultaneously contributed to the creation of aesthetic forms that became part of the artistic culture of his time," the jurors justified their decision.

Among the buildings designed by Bohuslav Fuchs are the Zeman Café in Brno, the Avion Hotel, and three pavilions at the Czechoslovak Culture Exhibition. During his time at the Brno City Building Authority, he drafted regulatory plans for several city districts and also the competitive proposal for the regulation of Brno's historical center. Fuchs served in the post-war period as the dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering at VUT. In the late 1950s, he was forced to leave the school for political reasons. He was an advocate of architectural competitions, actively participating in them both as a competitor and a juror. He was involved in the Group of Visual Artists, the Association of Visual Artists Mánes, and also in the editorial boards of several magazines.

Seventy-four-year-old Rajniš is a Czech architect and urban planner who earns respect on the international stage as well. He is a co-founder of the Czech Chamber of Architects. His many works include the Máj Department Store in Prague (together with John Eisler and Miroslav Masák), the Czech Post Office Anežka on Sněžka (H.R.A. Hoffman Rajniš Architects), and the airship Guliver on the building of the DOX Contemporary Art Center in Prague (together with David Kubík and Leoš Válka). The essence of his constructions lies in experimentation and the relationship between architecture, nature, and human society.

The jury honored him for his lifelong work and pedagogical activities, stating that he is an architect of "soft adaptable designing." "Rajniš is radical in relation to both the dominating mainstream and alternative directions. His architecture is simple, naturally simple, but not reductionist, mannerist minimalism,” the jurors described his work.