Cubism in Architecture

A major characteristic of the Cubist style of art is how the background planes intersect with those of the object, overlapping each other in such a way that they form shallow undefined spaces. The influence of this cubist characteristic became a hallmark of the development of a new type of architecture in Czechoslovakia. It is called Czech Cubism and is unique to Prague.

There was a group of four men whose work was very impressive., Paval Janak, Josef Gocar, Josef Cholcol and Vlastislav Hofman, were designers who trained with Otto Wagner(architect/designer) and Jan Kotera (his student)in the ateliers of the Vienna Secessionists. These men worked to incorporate angled planes into architecture and everyday objects. They felt that these angled planes were much more dynamic than horizontal and vertical planes and expressed the internal energy of the object or building. Prague's wealthy society were very open to avant garde trends and ideas and financed these young men's Cubist development. They created everything from cups and sauceers, furniture to apartment complexes built according to the theoretical framework of Cubism.

Some of these buildings and articles survive to the present day.


Examples : Karovic Villa designed by architect Josef Cholcol




Some architectural details - notice the planes and angles on the sides of the building and fronts of balconies and rooftops




This is the staircase in The House of the Black Madonna in Prague. The Czech Cubist |Museum is in this building.






A Cabinet by Josef Gocar




A Chandelier by Josef Gocar
A chair by Vlastislav Hoffman





A chair by Paval Janak