DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45213#0078
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PRAGUE 1932
Exhibition - BABA housing estate
September 7th - November 1st 1932 (1933-1934 - 2nd phase of construction)
Architects from Czechoslovakia who participated in the BABA development included: Josef Fuchs,
Frantisek Kerhart, Vojtech Kerhart, Ladislav Zak, Oldrich Stary, Evzen Linhart, Antonin
Heythum, Jaroslav and Karel Fiser, Pavel Janak, Frantisek Kavalir, Hana Kucerova-Zaveska,
Frantisek Zelenka, Zdenek Blazek, Jan E. Koula, Josef Gocar, Ladislav Machori183, and Mart
Stam of Holland. The planning conception was developed by Pavel Janak. The development con-
sisted exclusively of detached houses.
The Prague exhibition came from the initiative of the Czechoslovakian Werkbund (Svaz
ceskoslovenskeho dila) with a decision to build a model housing estate in Prague made in 1928..184
The Werkbund's Stuttgart and Brno projects became a direct source of inspiration. The original plan
envisioned several types of detached and row-houses. In contrast to the Werkbund model devel-
opments in Stuttgart, Vienna, and Wroclaw, which were financed by their respective municipali-
ties, the BABA exhibition was financed by private investors - future homeowners.185 This brought
the prospective resident's personal tastes and preferences into play as the future owners chose
the architect and design. The idea of collective approach and simple design, advocated by Oldrich
Stary, was rejected. The private investors selected architects with connections to the Czechoslova-
kian Werkbund. The initial plan of employing just one main contractor was successfully opposed by
other firms.
The designated lot was a gentle (20%) slope, with southern exposure, situated 100 metres above
the historic Town Square. The streets were laid out parallel to the slope (aligned to the east-west):
the resulting elongated parcels were built-up with low houses in an alternating arrangement which
ensured an attractive, unobstructed view of the city.
183 Vladimir SLAPETA, 'Brno 1928, Praga 1932...', p..48. The architects of the BABA estate represented three generations of architects with such
senior figures as Josef Gocar and Pavel Janak (born in ca.1880) to the young Hana Kucerova-Zaveska ( born in the1900's). Several architects
withdrew from the project probably because of differences that emerged between them and the houses' prospective owners, including: Bo-
huslav Fuchs, Josej Havlicek, Karel Hinzik, Jaromir Krejcar, Jiri Kroha, Otokar Novotny, Josef Stepanek, Oldrich Tyl. See: Vladimir SLAPETA, 'Deux
experiences...', p.52-61; idem, 'Ein mutiges Experiment - und im Dialog: „Hauser nach Mass". Die Bauausstellungen des Tschechoslowakischen
Werkbundes: „Novy Dum" 1928 in Brno (Brunn) und „Baba" 1932 in Prag', Stadt 1982, no. 5, p.48-55,65-67.
184 Important dates: 2.11.1928 - decision of the Czech Werkbund to build a development consisting of detached houses; 15.11.1928 - plans for
lot division submitted to the City Council; 21.12.1928 - application submitted for the purchase of the lot, choosing the estate's name and set-
ting principles for its future functioning ; 6.02.1929 - City Council receives the first list of builders; January 1930 - the municipality sets the final
conditions for the sale of the lot (about 100 Kes perm2, down payment of 2/3 of the total sum, final sale of the lot); 4.06.1931 - list of preparatory
jobs; 18.07.1931 - prehistoric archaeological relics are found by house no. 26; August 1931 - decision to implement the first 12 designs; 2.11.1931
- preparatory stage of construction completed; 23.11.1931 - 15 bids submitted for building the first 12 houses; 25.04.1932 - construction work
starts; June 1932 - gas connection and paving of the streets.
185 Vladimir SLAPETA, 'Brno 1928, Praga 1932...', p.52. Among the prospective residents of the BABA estate were important figures of the art
Word: art historian Dr K.Herain, graphic artist L.Sutnar, painter C.Bouda, architect P.Janak, textile designer M.Palickova, director of the National
Theatre M.Lom, publisher V.Polacek, director of the Prague Fair F.Munk, among others.
PRAGUE 1932
Exhibition - BABA housing estate
September 7th - November 1st 1932 (1933-1934 - 2nd phase of construction)
Architects from Czechoslovakia who participated in the BABA development included: Josef Fuchs,
Frantisek Kerhart, Vojtech Kerhart, Ladislav Zak, Oldrich Stary, Evzen Linhart, Antonin
Heythum, Jaroslav and Karel Fiser, Pavel Janak, Frantisek Kavalir, Hana Kucerova-Zaveska,
Frantisek Zelenka, Zdenek Blazek, Jan E. Koula, Josef Gocar, Ladislav Machori183, and Mart
Stam of Holland. The planning conception was developed by Pavel Janak. The development con-
sisted exclusively of detached houses.
The Prague exhibition came from the initiative of the Czechoslovakian Werkbund (Svaz
ceskoslovenskeho dila) with a decision to build a model housing estate in Prague made in 1928..184
The Werkbund's Stuttgart and Brno projects became a direct source of inspiration. The original plan
envisioned several types of detached and row-houses. In contrast to the Werkbund model devel-
opments in Stuttgart, Vienna, and Wroclaw, which were financed by their respective municipali-
ties, the BABA exhibition was financed by private investors - future homeowners.185 This brought
the prospective resident's personal tastes and preferences into play as the future owners chose
the architect and design. The idea of collective approach and simple design, advocated by Oldrich
Stary, was rejected. The private investors selected architects with connections to the Czechoslova-
kian Werkbund. The initial plan of employing just one main contractor was successfully opposed by
other firms.
The designated lot was a gentle (20%) slope, with southern exposure, situated 100 metres above
the historic Town Square. The streets were laid out parallel to the slope (aligned to the east-west):
the resulting elongated parcels were built-up with low houses in an alternating arrangement which
ensured an attractive, unobstructed view of the city.
183 Vladimir SLAPETA, 'Brno 1928, Praga 1932...', p..48. The architects of the BABA estate represented three generations of architects with such
senior figures as Josef Gocar and Pavel Janak (born in ca.1880) to the young Hana Kucerova-Zaveska ( born in the1900's). Several architects
withdrew from the project probably because of differences that emerged between them and the houses' prospective owners, including: Bo-
huslav Fuchs, Josej Havlicek, Karel Hinzik, Jaromir Krejcar, Jiri Kroha, Otokar Novotny, Josef Stepanek, Oldrich Tyl. See: Vladimir SLAPETA, 'Deux
experiences...', p.52-61; idem, 'Ein mutiges Experiment - und im Dialog: „Hauser nach Mass". Die Bauausstellungen des Tschechoslowakischen
Werkbundes: „Novy Dum" 1928 in Brno (Brunn) und „Baba" 1932 in Prag', Stadt 1982, no. 5, p.48-55,65-67.
184 Important dates: 2.11.1928 - decision of the Czech Werkbund to build a development consisting of detached houses; 15.11.1928 - plans for
lot division submitted to the City Council; 21.12.1928 - application submitted for the purchase of the lot, choosing the estate's name and set-
ting principles for its future functioning ; 6.02.1929 - City Council receives the first list of builders; January 1930 - the municipality sets the final
conditions for the sale of the lot (about 100 Kes perm2, down payment of 2/3 of the total sum, final sale of the lot); 4.06.1931 - list of preparatory
jobs; 18.07.1931 - prehistoric archaeological relics are found by house no. 26; August 1931 - decision to implement the first 12 designs; 2.11.1931
- preparatory stage of construction completed; 23.11.1931 - 15 bids submitted for building the first 12 houses; 25.04.1932 - construction work
starts; June 1932 - gas connection and paving of the streets.
185 Vladimir SLAPETA, 'Brno 1928, Praga 1932...', p.52. Among the prospective residents of the BABA estate were important figures of the art
Word: art historian Dr K.Herain, graphic artist L.Sutnar, painter C.Bouda, architect P.Janak, textile designer M.Palickova, director of the National
Theatre M.Lom, publisher V.Polacek, director of the Prague Fair F.Munk, among others.