beyond your map

In 1958, Czechoslovakia won top honors at the World Expo in Brussels with its modern and elegant pavilion. The pavilion, recognized for innovative construction and a captivating interior, can still be visited in Prague today. Following Expo 58, it was relocated to Letná Park, where it initially housed a restaurant with a stunning view of the Vltava River, the Old Town, and the New Town.

Constructed between 1970 and 1975, the Kotva department store was conceived by the Czech architect duo Věra Machoninová and Vladimir Machonin. Unusually, the Swedish construction company SIAB was responsible for its build. The architectural layout comprises interwoven hexagons, spanning five above-ground levels. Featuring ten interconnected escalators (arranged in two sets of five), the store also boasts a similar number of escalators below ground, facilitating use as both a garage and supermarket. Originally envisioned as a symbol of prosperity within a socialist framework, Kotva was the largest department store in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic during its construction. Despite facing supply challenges that underscored the economic frailty of the country, Kotva offered a diverse array of products until the 1990s; however, its current emphasis is primarily on clothing and fashion items.

A notable Czech instance of social housing situated near Prague, the Tower Blocks in Kladno, designed by Josef Havlíček who served as the chief architect responsible for the residential district development plan in Kladno–Rozdělov. As one of the leading figures of the interwar avant-garde, Havlíček's contributions extended beyond architecture into furniture design, sculpture, and painting. He prioritized the creation of affordable housing for the underprivileged and played a key role in developing innovative solutions for social and collective housing through his designs. In addition to its distinctive architectural expression, the project showcased opulent material choices and spacious interiors, with meticulous attention paid to every detail.

Commissioned by Prague lawyer JUDr. Josef Winternitz in 1932 and designed by Adolf Loos and Karel Lhota, the Winternitz Villa showcases typical Loosian architecture, including unique interior arrangements and meticulous detailing. The family lived there until 1941, forced to transfer ownership under racial persecution. After World War II, the Prague Municipality acquired the villa, leasing it as a kindergarten until 1995. The Winternitz family's tragic wartime experiences included Josef and his son Petr perishing in Auschwitz. Returned to the family in 1997, the villa underwent careful restoration from 1999 to 2002. Open to the public since 2017, it remains in the hands of the descendants, serving as both a historical site and a venue for cultural events.

In the 1930s, on the outskirts of Prague's Dejvice, a unique complex of functionalist villas called Baba was built. It was one of six European experimental colonies created as a demonstration of modern urban living in the post-World War I era. Unlike other villa neighborhoods from that time, which were damaged during World War II, Baba has remained in its original form to this day. Due to its uniqueness, Baba has been a protected urban heritage zone since 1993 and recently became part of the European Heritage list as a member of this network of European colonies.

František Bílek constructed this villa workshop in Prague's Castle District between 1910 and 1911, following his personal design. The architectural intricacy of the building reflects meticulous planning, symbolizing a wheat field and embodying the artist's beliefs about the interconnectedness of nature and artistic expression. Beyond Bílek's studio, visitors have the opportunity to explore an exhibition showcasing his early studies and sketches, primarily from the period spanning 1891 to 1903.

The Prague Electric Works was erected following a public architectural competition and stood as the largest administrative building in Prague. It exemplifies the distinct style of functionalism, a trend more commonly associated with Prague's suburbs during the 1920s. Comprising numerous cubic volumes that gradually taper from the ground floor, the expansive structure facilitates ample sunlight penetration throughout. The incorporation of ribbon windows and Luxfer glass ceilings underscores the significance of natural light throughout the construction. Noteworthy features include the central hall with a striking main staircase and a milk glass wall, showcasing one of Bohemia's initial instances of double-glazed windows. The building, fully electrified, boasted cutting-edge amenities of its era, such as an air heating and ventilation system, an early prototype of air conditioning, and the renowned paternoster elevators. Despite years of abandonment, the structure has recently undergone a thoughtful restoration spearheaded by the TaK Architects studio.