From the west, the wind does not blow? Plzeň architects invite: David Kraus

The autumn lecture cycle is dedicated by the Pěstuj prostor association to contemporary architecture. It thus follows last year's exhibition of the same name and the Plzeň part of this year's Architecture Day. “The aim of the series is, among other things, to draw the local audience's attention to current Czech architectural production and reflect on themes characteristic of both the domestic scene and the specific situation in Plzeň,” states the dramaturg of the series, Petr Klíma. During four evenings, each ending with a moderated discussion, four personalities of contemporary Czech architecture will be presented at the invitation of four local creators or author teams. The debate following each lecture should become a lively dialogue about realizations, creative methods, professional attitudes, and the nature of the participating authors.
The introductory part of the series will take place on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at 6 PM at the Moving Station in Plzeň. Invited by Plzeň architect Jaromír Veselák, one of the most distinctive creators of the contemporary Czech scene David Kraus will present. In his contribution, he will introduce some of his realizations as a starting point for reflection on how to be an architect in today's world, but also a runner, a rider, a fighter, a teacher, a student – and ultimately a free human being. This topic will subsequently be expanded in a moderated discussion with Jaromír Veselák.
The event will follow the valid hygiene regulations. Admission is 50 CZK. Tickets will be available on site and in presale.
Another part of the series Od Západu nefouká? Plzeň architects invite, prepared with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, the city of Plzeň, the State Fund for Culture, and the Czech Architecture Foundation, will take place on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at 6 PM at the University Café Družba. The invitation from Bohuslav Strejc and Ondřej Janout from the projectstudio8 office has been accepted by architects Jan Vondrák and Jan Mach from the Liberec studio Mjölk.

David Kraus
 studied architecture at the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University from 1989 to 1996, where he had a significant encounter with Professor Miroslav Šik. In 2002, he founded the studio Architektura. In his “exploring” work, he develops his own path of contemporary architecture. His realizations, apart from the territory of the Czech Republic, are located in Slovakia, Germany, the USA, Germany, and Oman. In his studio, which includes the design and realization process, he collaborates with young architects forming a loose community around the Kovárna object. As Kraus states on the studio's website, his studio “believes in the simplicity of thought and action, physical movement, rhythm, and the real present world.” David Kraus has taught at VŠUP and FA ČVUT, where he is currently a candidate for dean. He also lectures, exhibits, and publishes. For his work – and the work of his studio – he has received several awards, most recently in 2018 the Czech Architecture Award. His work is also represented in the collections of the National Gallery.