Rajniš's airship on the roof of the DOX center will open in November

source: http://hutarchitektury.cz/

Prague - A large wooden structure in the shape of a dirigible, which has risen on the roof of the DOX contemporary art center over the past few months, will open to visitors in November, spokesperson Zuzana Masná told ČTK. It was built by architect Martin Rajniš, known for his buildings that emphasize harmony with nature. It will be part of the center and is intended primarily for literature. Debates and author readings will take place there, but visitors will also be able to enter the dirigible on their own with their book.

The founder of DOX, Leoš Válka, has been collaborating with architect Rajniš for a long time. Two years ago, the author, whose most famous works include the new Post Office on Sněžka, had a retrospective exhibition at the center. It took place on the occasion of receiving the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture 2014, which Rajniš was awarded. The award highlights projects that are connected by the idea of long-term social sustainability, ecology, social ties, and architecture as a tool for societal development since 2006.

At the roof of DOX, he presented a model of one of the observation towers that he often dedicates himself to, using exclusively wood. The dirigible is also wooden, but in order to protect it from rain, it will be covered with a shell made of transparent foil.

Rajniš studied at ČVUT and AVU. In the 1970s, he worked in the SIAL studio led by Karel Hubáček. After the revolution, he led D. A. Studio with Stanislav Fiala, Jaroslav Zima, and Tomáš Prouza, whose largest project is the construction of a new shopping center in Prague's Smíchov district. Since 2002, his work has taken a different direction. He focuses on smaller buildings made of natural materials such as wood, stone, and glass. He tries to find ways that, with minimal resources and humility towards existing buildings and landscapes, serve the widest group of users and restore architecture's key position in civilization.

Rajniš sometimes deviates from the established procedures of architectural creation and construction practices. This has resulted in works that are more artifacts than buildings. Rajniš has not hesitated to push the boundaries of construction law, legal procedures, and defends the freedom of independent creation. He has gotten into disputes with officials over some of his works, which are constructed from stacked drying wood, lack foundations, and therefore, according to him, do not require any official permits. However, since some clients for whom Rajniš builds this way wish to maintain good relations with officials, they are already obtaining permits for their intended buildings.