Štěpánská: Nová městská reprezentace mezi obchodem a bydlením

Štěpánská Street was originally a quiet residential link between Ječná and Wenceslas Square. In the 1930s, however, it changed beyond recognition: its traditional buildings began to be replaced by modern apartment, commercial and administrative buildings. This transformation process was directly conditioned by the pressure of the city center, increasing motoring and the strengthening of the position of the business class - and it is precisely in the architecture of this area that these changes are reflected most clearly.

Architects such as Josef Havlíček, Eugen Rosenberg, Bohumír Kozák or Jaroslav Vančura designed houses here that combine commercial floors, modern office layouts and comfortable living. Many of them were created for insurance companies, unions or entrepreneurs, often with elaborate displays, arcades or halls. The architecture of these buildings combines late functionalism with an emphasis on representation, quality materials and artistic culture - no longer purist austerity, but moderate nobility and urban elegance.

The walk prepared by the Modernist Prague platform - which consists of architectural historian Adam Štěch and architect Jan Bureš - will take participants through this lesser-known but high-quality modernist district, which offers a cross-section of architecture from the late 1930s.

Buildings: City houses of architects such as Eugen Rosenberg, josef Havlíček, Bohumír Kozák, Stivo Vacek, Jaroslav Vančura, Martin Reiner, Gustav Paul, Vít Obrtel and others.

Practical information:

• Meeting place: In front of the house Štěpánská 622/36 (Štěpánská pasáž, Podnik Swim), 110 00 Prague 1 – New City
• Venue: Prague 1 and 2 – Nové Město
• Duration: 2.5 hours