All over Europe, and the world, there are institutions acting as architecture liaisons to the public, be it nationwide or just locally in regions and cities. Here, in the Czech Republic, we don’t have an institution that could be labeled as a center of Czech architecture. This task is being taken up by various activist organizations, however, they are struggling with financial, personal, or legal limits. This issue of ERA21 is focused on institutions integrated in the official state or local administration structure.

Nepřehlédnutelnými událostmi uplynulého měsíce se stala dvě souhlasná vyjádření – jedno stavební povolení pro bytový Obličejový dům v sousedství Anežského kláštera od architekta Zdeňka Fránka a opětovné územní rozhodnutí pro administrativně-komerční Květinový dům na Václavském náměstí z projekční kanceláře Chapman Taylor. Na první pohled dvě velmi podobná dramata o zasazení nové architektury do kontextu historické Prahy. Ale jen na první pohled.

Na posledním Otevřeném think tanku architektů (OTTA), organizovaném Českou komorou architektů na téma Architektura a společenské vědy, mimo jiné zaznělo, že jedním z problémů dnešních architektů je nedostatečná znalost teorie a související literatury. Mnohdy jim prý chybí širší společenský základ a schopnost správně užívat jazyk, což nelze neustále omlouvat výlučností architektonické profese.

Talking about architectural criticism in the Czech Republic, there is usually a general consensus that it is insufficient. However, there are various views of what the actual use of critique is and what critics should do. Therefore, it’s time we looked around to see how things are developing today, and turned our attention abroad. Although we know that criticism is inconceivable without history and theory, as this issue’s curator I would like to present its less academic form, too – one that enters discussions about our environment, that is able to address and inspire practicing architects, students, and the public.

A new multifunctional hall was opened in Líbeznice u Prahy in November, designed to serve for gym classes as well as leisure clubs, cultural and social events. The two-story building makes use of the difference in heights of the adjacent street and football field. This enables it to be sensitively incorporated in the surrounding development of mostly family houses, and allows for barrier-free access to both floors. The building has an oval ground plan and it is divided into three parts: the overtop sports hall in the middle and two lateral apsis, which provide space for additional functions. The main volume of the building is a wooden structure with a curtain façade system made of squared timber; the adjacent facility building is made of brick.