rogue prague modernism, adolf loos, & frank gehry

Prague Modern Building by SAL

Prague hosts many reputable modernist buildings such as Adolf Loos' 1930 Villa Müller and Frank Gehry's 1996 Fred & Ginger modern buildings. Even more, Prague also has some fantastic rogue modernist buildings as seen above. Unfortunately, I do not know the architect nor the year this building above was constructed. I am not even sure it was a building on our "list" of sites to see that day in Prague.

However, is it a coincidence that Frank Gehry has a reputable building in Prague and that he too is a master of deconstructionism? This gorgeous building in the photo above, in fact, reminds me a great deal of Gehry's early work, such as his 1977 Santa Monica home that hurled him into the limelight. In particular, we are talking about the art of deconstructionism. Clearly the building above exhibits some rogue baroque/deconstructionism sensibilities.

The traditional eye window has become much more exaggerated with a sharp eyebrow trim on the top edge and its image again echoed in the side building beyond. Then, part of the facade on the front of the building seems as though it was ripped off to reveal a glass block type window material beneath. I have to say that if I had been given the assignment to design a building that embodies deconstructionism, I would have been certainly proud to have produced an example such as this above.

1930, Adolf Loos, Villa Muller, Prague by SAL

Indeed, Prague is a city of many wonders and hidden treasures. I do not know what it is about the eastern European villages and cities that I have explored, but they have highly creative examples of architectural style and detail. In the photo above, we see an ingenious Adolf Loos detail at the illustrious Villa Müller. This is a patio detail that we do not often see photographed and noted in articles about Villa Müller. Yet, I was struck in particular by the gorgeousness of it.

Loos created a niche in the juncture between the stone patio flooring and the brick wall to allow ivy to grow naturally in a sort of planter. It is really a beautiful, simple detail. We so desperately need architects to be inventive such as Loos was on this patio. Was there any additional money added to the project to produce this detail? No. Was this difficult for the masons to construct? No. It is for those reasons that I love Loos so much. Reinvent! Reinvent indeed!