Central European Functionalism
Brno Exhibition Centre (1928)
The economic boom of Czechoslovakia after World War I revealed the need for a dedicated exhibition centre where manufacturers could present their products and offer them for sale abroad. Brno was chosen as the location. Out of the thirty-one entries, the jury singled out the design by Prague architect Josef Kalous, which was further adjusted and implemented by architect Emil Králík; the design by Josef Bolech and Václav Velvarský was ranked second and third place was occupied by Karel Řepa with Josef Fuchs, Ladislav Machoň with Ladislav Rössler and Bohuslav Fuchs. The centre was completed in 1928.
The main element of the winning design was a monumental circular platform with two wide promenades leading from it, lined by pavilions that were later completed by other architects based on Kalous's concept.
Kalous's urban conception was developed by Emil Králík; the exhibition halls were laid out along two basic axes, forming a V shape dominated by the glassed-in tower of the Pavilion of Commerce and Trade by Bohumír Čermák. Unlike the progressive architectural designs of some structures the urban conception stemmed from Classicist and centralising tendencies. No sooner had visitors got off the tram onto the elevated platform of the electric tramway line designed by Bohuslav Fuchs, than they were greeted by a view of the impressive layout of the exhibition halls. After they passed through the segmented entrance gate, their attention was drawn to the pivotal point of the entire centre - the Palace of Industry and Trade, with its distinctive parabolic vaults. The design of the grounds also involved planting mature trees and installing ceremonial lighting on the occasion of the Exhibition of Contemporary Culture in Czechoslovakia. It was held there from May to September in 1928 with the aim to present the cultural and technical upswing of the young country in the first decade of its existence.
The huge success of this exhibition, which positively declared the entire public's acceptance of functionalist architecture, was followed by a period of economic recession. The centre occupies a site on 667,000 square metres and provides a total net exhibition area of 125,496 square metres including open-air space and exhibition halls with an exhibition area of 61,479 square metres. The centre has 15 exhibition halls with a visitor capacity of 25,000–30,000 (maximum 60,000) a day.
Brno Exhibition Centre (1928)
The economic boom of Czechoslovakia after World War I revealed the need for a dedicated exhibition centre where manufacturers could present their products and offer them for sale abroad. Brno was chosen as the location. Out of the thirty-one entries, the jury singled out the design by Prague architect Josef Kalous, which was further adjusted and implemented by architect Emil Králík; the design by Josef Bolech and Václav Velvarský was ranked second and third place was occupied by Karel Řepa with Josef Fuchs, Ladislav Machoň with Ladislav Rössler and Bohuslav Fuchs. The centre was completed in 1928.
The main element of the winning design was a monumental circular platform with two wide promenades leading from it, lined by pavilions that were later completed by other architects based on Kalous's concept.
Kalous's urban conception was developed by Emil Králík; the exhibition halls were laid out along two basic axes, forming a V shape dominated by the glassed-in tower of the Pavilion of Commerce and Trade by Bohumír Čermák. Unlike the progressive architectural designs of some structures the urban conception stemmed from Classicist and centralising tendencies. No sooner had visitors got off the tram onto the elevated platform of the electric tramway line designed by Bohuslav Fuchs, than they were greeted by a view of the impressive layout of the exhibition halls. After they passed through the segmented entrance gate, their attention was drawn to the pivotal point of the entire centre - the Palace of Industry and Trade, with its distinctive parabolic vaults. The design of the grounds also involved planting mature trees and installing ceremonial lighting on the occasion of the Exhibition of Contemporary Culture in Czechoslovakia. It was held there from May to September in 1928 with the aim to present the cultural and technical upswing of the young country in the first decade of its existence.
The huge success of this exhibition, which positively declared the entire public's acceptance of functionalist architecture, was followed by a period of economic recession. The centre occupies a site on 667,000 square metres and provides a total net exhibition area of 125,496 square metres including open-air space and exhibition halls with an exhibition area of 61,479 square metres. The centre has 15 exhibition halls with a visitor capacity of 25,000–30,000 (maximum 60,000) a day.
© Alan John Ainsworth Photography
