Only a few Czech architecture studios have the same level of experience designing schools and kindergartens as XTOPIX. Repeatedly succeeding in architecture competitions, Barbora and Pavel Buryška now have under their belt several completed projects in different corners of the country. What’s the secret of their success? What are the things to keep in mind when designing schools? How to deal with the Czech Republic’s “over-regulated” building laws? In an interview for this issue of ERA21, we discussed all that and more.

That the art of teaching be placed on a proper foundation is to the advantage—

1. Of parents, who up to this time have for the most part been uncertain how much to expect from their chlidren. They hires tutors, besought them, strove to win them over by gifts, changed them, just as often in vain as with any result. But now that the method of teaching has been reasoned out with unerring accuracy, it will, with the assistance of God, be impossible that the desired result should not follow.

(...)

It’s not often that one can visit a prefabricated house and spend two hours there, drinking in a nice and peaceful atmosphere. But when it comes to the first ever winner of the Czech Architecture Award, you get almost a zen experience. ZEN Houses in Liberec—the home and studio of Petr Stolín and Alena Mičeková—celebrate ten years of existence. 

The building of the family home in Včelná near České Budějovice, designed by Ivan Kroupa, had a difficult fate. Misunderstood by neighbours, mishandled by workers, and still waiting to be fully completed. But it stands. Confident and contextual. A bit reserved at first, but warm and welcoming inside. Truly reflecting its owner's soul.