Papers by Martin Šnorbert
15th Architecture in Perspective 2023 / 15. Architektura v perspektivě 2023, 2023
The presented contribution builds on previous research and focuses on building modifications, the... more The presented contribution builds on previous research and focuses on building modifications, the design or implementation of which were created in the 1980s in the area of Prague Castle. First, the position of architects during the period under study is discussed, with an emphasis on the position of architects working directly at the Castle-within the commissions, employees of the Office of the President of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, and especially those working in the Castle studio of SÚRPMO (State Institute for Reconstruction of Monumental Towns and Buildings). It contains a general description and list of building interventions in the 1980s. It describes the extent to which reconstructions, conversions, new interventions in old buildings were used and how this affected the appearance of Prague Castle. It looks in detail at the most significant interventions that occurred in the area under study during this period. This was the reconstruction of the Lobkowicz Palace for the needs of the National Museum. Attention is also paid to the construction interventions that were required to ensure the technical functioning of Prague Castle. Information is obtained in the context of archival research in the Archives of Prague Castle, the Archives of the Office of the President of the Republic and the Archives of the National Museum. Interviews with the architects who worked there during this period proved to be a good source.
Stavební obzor, Apr 9, 2021
This contribution deals with the approach of the architect Jan Sokol to the renovation of monumen... more This contribution deals with the approach of the architect Jan Sokol to the renovation of monuments within his architectural work. Close attention is paid to the biographical part, as it describes the development of the architect's relation to the history of art and cultural heritage of previous generations. Personalities who influenced him during his studies, but also during architectural practice, are mentioned. It also captures the period when Sokol worked as an employee in a state studio which was focused on the preservation and restoration of monuments. Subsequently, selected buildings and projects designed by this architect in the field of historic preservation are discussed. Of these, the most emphasized are the projects which were created for the area of Prague Castle. To understand these projects, the preserved texts, plans and ideas of the author are used. Unfortunately, many of the discussed projects were not implemented, but they are very valuable in their thought form. And this is one of the reasons why this article iss written, it tries to show the quality of Sokol's projects. Furthermore, the purpose is to point out the personality of the architect, who has not been fully appreciated yet, nevertheless he has inspired several of his students and other architects. In conclusion, it is pointed out that the Sokol's discussed approach was based on a deep knowledge of the construction of the historical buildings and history of art, and that led him to approach to these buildings with a certain humbleness. It is further stated that the architect Jan Sokol was a generally gifted author with an overlap into fields areas.
Stavební obzor, Jul 31, 2022
This contribution deals with the urban development of the Hradčany area (it is a district of the ... more This contribution deals with the urban development of the Hradčany area (it is a district of the capital city Prague, surrounding Prague Castle), within its position in the capital city, but especially within the area itself. Great emphasis is placed on historical development, as it significantly affects the current situation. Prague Castle, perceived as a historical and architectural complex, is unique in its complexity and size, we do not find a similar example in any of the surrounding countries. Prague Castle, as an important part of Hradčany, was and still is the seat of the monarch, or today the president of the Czech Republic. The development of Czech history influenced the appearance of the Castle (alternation of royal families, growth and decline in the importance of Prague, i.e. the Czech Kingdom in Central Europe). The combination of secular and ecclesiastical power in one place is also remarkable. At the same time, it is possible to find evidence of development in the field of culture, technical conveniences, architectural and engineering arts, over the course of ten centuries. Based on archival research and the study of references, the reader is acquainted with the gradual change in the formation of the current plan of the city and the Castle. The connection between morphological assumptions and the location of first a Slavic fort, later a stone castle, is pointed out. The castle area was followed by a settlement in the sub-castle, which in the 14th century became a serf town of Hradčany. The alternation of artistic styles over the centuries and the related change in the structure and scale of buildings, but especially the panorama of Hradčany with the silhouette of the Castle, is discussed. In the end, the potential of the Hradčany area and the possibility of modernization interventions are also evaluated.
Stavební obzor - Civil Engineering Journal
This paper deals with individual typological types and units in the Prague Castle area. It also f... more This paper deals with individual typological types and units in the Prague Castle area. It also focuses on the urban and historical development, as it is significantly influenced by the situation in the period under study. It focuses more closely on the period of the second half of the 20th century, and especially the period of normalization - the 1970s and 1980s. Prague Castle was and still is the seat of the monarch, or today the President of the Czech Republic. The historical context has had a considerable influence on the shape of the Castle (the succession of ruling personalities from different dynasties, the transformation from the position of the seat of the Habsburg monarchy and therefore the most important center in Central Europe to the position of the summer residence of the ruling family, etc.). Also unprecedented is the concentration of the main buildings of secular and ecclesiastical power in one area. The castle is a huge complex, combining morphological assumptions w...
Stavební obzor - Civil Engineering Journal, 2023
This paper deals with individual typological parts and units in the Prague Castle area. It also f... more This paper deals with individual typological parts and units in the Prague Castle area. It also focuses on the urban and historical development, as it is significantly influenced by the situation in the period under study. It focuses more closely on the period of the second half of the 20th century, and especially the period of normalization-the 1970s and 1980s. Prague Castle was and still is the seat of the monarch, or today the President of the Czech Republic. The historical context has had a considerable influence on the shape of the Castle (the succession of ruling personalities from different dynasties, the transformation from the position of the seat of the Habsburg monarchy and therefore the most important center in Central Europe to the position of the summer residence of the ruling family, etc.). Also the concentration of the main buildings of secular and ecclesiastical power in one area is unprecedented. The castle is a huge complex, combining morphological assumptions with the result of the work of a huge number of people. A number of foreign artists worked here, reaching world-class standards and both understanding and supporting the local genius loci. There are also many contrasts-political and constructional. For example, the imprints of monarchy and republic, church and secular power, ancient and modernist architecture, contrasts among the smallest buildings of houses and the largest palaces. On the basis of archival research and the study of expert literature, the reader is introduced to the progressive changes in the layout of the Castle complex and the associated changes in the functional use of the buildings and spaces in the aforementioned complex.
14th Architecture in Perspective 2022 / 14. Architektura v perspektivě 2022, 2022
The presented contribution deals with architectural interventions, whose design or implementation... more The presented contribution deals with architectural interventions, whose design or implementation were created in the 1970s in the area of Prague Castle. First, it focuses on the position of architects during this period, with an emphasis on the position of architects working directly at the Castle or in expert commissions that dealt with modifications in the area of Prague Castle. It deals with a general description and an enumeration of construction interventions in the 1970s. It attempts to trace the approaches of individual architects to the restoration of historical buildings. It describes to what extent reconstructions, conversions, new interventions in old building were used and how this influenced the appearance of Prague Castle. It focuses on the work of key architects working at the Castle in the period under review – e.g. Josef Hrubý, Josef Pilař, František Cubr, Osvald Döbert, Karel Firbas, Věra Hlaváčková, Zdenka Nováková, Marie Švábová. It deals in detail with two of the most important interventions that most influenced the development of the Prague Castle complex. There were the reconstruction of the St. George Monastery for the needs of the National Gallery and the reconstruction of the Spanish Hall, Rudolf Gallery and the west wing of Prague Castle. The data presented here are based on archival research carried out in the Archive of the Prague Castle, the Archive of the President´s Office and the Architecture Collection at the National Gallery. Periodicals published during the period – Architektura ČSR (Architecture of the Czechoslovak Republic), Československý architekt (Czechoslovak Architect) – are also a useful source. Valuable information can be also gleaned from interviews with witnesses who worked at the Castle during this period. The aim of the contribution is to point out the often overlooked and unknown work of architects in the castle area, and to present unrealized projects and visions that could have influenced the appearance of the Castle and its surroundings.
The content of this diploma project is the architectural - construction design of the cultural ce... more The content of this diploma project is the architectural - construction design of the cultural centre Bubeneč. The location and mass concept is based on an architectural - urban study of the solved area, which was made in a pre-diploma project. The aim of the thesis was to design a cultural centre that will be created by converting an existing industrial building. The centre is located in the core of the whole area - the square that extends between this building and the Old Sewage Treatment Plant (National Cultural Monument). The object itself consists of a covered passage, three smaller business units, a restaurant, a foyer, two halls and their facilities, offices of management, a gallery, a library, a music school, dance halls and a café. This center will provide cultural activities in the catchment area of Bubeneč. It will participate in art and musical activities for children and adults. As well, residents of this area will be able to use the catering and business services. The café also offers view of the Troja area.
Stavební obzor - Civil Engineering Journal
This contribution deals with the urban development of the Hradčany area, within its position in t... more This contribution deals with the urban development of the Hradčany area, within its position in the capital city, but especially within the area itself. Great emphasis is placed on historical development, as it significantly affects the current situation. Prague Castle, perceived as a historical and architectural complex, is unique in its complexity and size, we will not find a similar example in any of the surrounding countries. Prague Castle, as an important part of Hradčany, was and still is the seat of the monarch, or today the president of the Czech Republic. The development of Czech history influenced the appearance of the Castle (alternation of royal families, growth and decline in the importance of Prague, ie the Czech kingdom in Central Europe). The combination of secular and ecclesiastical power in one place is also remarkable. At the same time, it is possible to find evidence of development in the field of culture, technical conveniences, architectural and engineering art...
Stavební Obzor - Civil Engineering Journal, 2022
This contribution deals with the urban development of the Hradčany area (it is a district of the ... more This contribution deals with the urban development of the Hradčany area (it is a district of the capital city Prague, surrounding Prague Castle), within its position in the capital city, but especially within the area itself. Great emphasis is placed on historical development, as it significantly affects the current situation. Prague Castle, perceived as a historical and architectural complex, is unique in its complexity and size, we do not find a similar example in any of the surrounding countries. Prague Castle, as an important part of Hradčany, was and still is the seat of the monarch, or today the president of the Czech Republic. The development of Czech history influenced the appearance of the Castle (alternation of royal families, growth and decline in the importance of Prague, i.e. the Czech Kingdom in Central Europe). The combination of secular and ecclesiastical power in one place is also remarkable. At the same time, it is possible to find evidence of development in the field of culture, technical conveniences, architectural and engineering arts, over the course of ten centuries. Based on archival research and the study of references, the reader is acquainted with the gradual change in the formation of the current plan of the city and the Castle. The connection between morphological assumptions and the location of first a Slavic fort, later a stone castle, is pointed out. The castle area was followed by a settlement in the sub-castle, which in the 14th century became a serf town of Hradčany. The alternation of artistic styles over the centuries and the related change in the structure and scale of buildings, but especially the panorama of Hradčany with the silhouette of the Castle, is discussed. In the end, the potential of the Hradčany area and the possibility of modernization interventions are also evaluated.
Stavební obzor - Civil Engineering Journal, 2021
This contribution deals with the approach of the architect Jan Sokol to the renovation of monumen... more This contribution deals with the approach of the architect Jan Sokol to the renovation of monuments within his architectural work. Close attention is paid to the biographical part, as it describes the development of the architect's relation to the history of art and cultural heritage of previous generations. Personalities who influenced him during his studies, but also during architectural practice, are mentioned. It also captures the period when Sokol worked as an employee in a state studio which was focused on the preservation and restoration of monuments. Subsequently, selected buildings and projects designed by this architect in the field of historic preservation are discussed. Of these, the most emphasized are the projects which were created for the area of Prague Castle. To understand these projects, the preserved texts, plans and ideas of the author are used. Unfortunately, many of the discussed projects were not implemented, but they are very valuable in their thought fo...
Uploads
Papers by Martin Šnorbert