Czech art model - the making of architectural models in the 21st century
Interview with Václav Urban from Czech art model
Publisher
Tisková zpráva
28.11.2007 23:40
Tisková zpráva
28.11.2007 23:40
Modeling Studio Czech Art Model is the successor studio to Mr. Roman Slavíček.
Last year, the modeling studio unexpectedly lost its main leader due to unforeseen events. The modeling studio was on the brink of extinction. It was necessary to decide whether to establish a new company, set new parameters, take on obligations, but also accept a new marketing strategy.
In the past year, 2006, the new studio Czech Art Model has been building its own image. It engages in the production of architectural, technological, and exhibition models for architecture offices, investors, and development companies. It also specializes in producing models for competitions and exhibitions. This is its main activity. Collaboration with future architects – potential customers and assistance with the production of diploma projects is a given.
HP. How did you get into modeling?
VU. Quite by chance, as it often happens...
I wandered into a building where my wife and I were looking for offices for a development company. I rang the nearest door on the ground floor. Mr. Slavíček came to open it for me. One word led to another, and I had the honor of working for Mr. Slavíček for several years.
What is your original profession that allowed you to immediately start this specific activity?
I am trained as a carpenter. The longer I worked in this field, the more I realized my sense for detail. Working with wood, but also with other materials, has always been immensely interesting to me. Nevertheless, I was drawn to models as such. Mr. Slavíček gave me a chance, and I was grateful to him.
What model evokes nostalgic memories in you?
Without a doubt, it is the Old Town Hall and the Astronomical Clock, which is functional, just like the real one. Its production was completed in May 2006. It is one of the last models that Mr. Slavíček produced. The first Czech exhibit on a scale of 1:25, which is displayed in Brussels in the outdoor museum of miniatures of the most famous buildings from individual countries of the European Union. The day after returning from Brussels to Prague, circumstances arose that no one expected and that turned my life upside down. They were very sad events that we had to come to terms with…
Who influenced your decision to continue this activity at that time?
Undoubtedly and unequivocally the modelers and my wife. None of us wanted to knock on the doors of another modeling studio, but at the same time, we were terrified by the administration of today's business. Not to mention the risk associated with uncertainty. In the end, we divided roles and began to build a new corporate culture.
Some still left...
Considering that Mr. Slavíček’s modeling studio was originally supposed to move to its own premises, we had to renovate the existing spaces. However, renovations can be financially demanding, so we gradually transformed room by room during weekends.
How did customers perceive these events?
During this difficult period, we were supported by their trust from the marketing director of FINEP, Mr. mgr. Jan Zachariáš. We had the opportunity to produce a model for this development company for the project REZIDENCE CÍSAŘKA II.
This model was special in that we planned to model additional houses into it in the future. The gray parts – interchangeable modules were removed, and individual models of villas – houses including pools, etc. were inserted into the original places. It was very interesting work and a pleasant collaboration. For this company, we produced our first model.
Are developers your only customers?
No, among our customers are also architects. For the competition to design the National Library, we produced three models on a scale of 1:500. It was very interesting but time-consuming work. Nevertheless, we managed to convince our customers that even under the given conditions, we produce at a high quality. In this work, we could subjectively evaluate how architectural studios dealt with the competition conditions.
What model was the most challenging for you in terms of production?
At the turn of the year, we produced a very demanding architectural model. It was a design for a building that would house an exhibition of A. Mucha's paintings - The Slav Epic. A great honor for us was collaborating with acad. arch. Jindřich Smetana.
At that time, we said to ourselves that there couldn't be a model that would surpass Mucha's Epic in terms of difficulty. It is a modern interpretation of the placement of historical paintings in a gallery, where individual staircases and spectator areas are simultaneously suspended on ropes. This unique idea deserves realization. This model is collapsible, and the paintings are illuminated with LED technology.
We are still talking about miniatures. What are you currently producing?
Currently, we are producing very interesting models of historical buildings in the center of Prague.
This is another form of models being produced. It is based on additionally created project documentation. Some historical buildings do not have preserved project documentation. They are beautiful historical buildings that we have the opportunity to visit personally and photograph all the details of the historical building. It is actually the opposite procedure... Models are 90% representations, or approximations of the future. In the production of historical models, the model is a scaled replica of the original. And that literally...
What are your plans for the future?
I will definitely try to restore and expand the equipment in the workshop. This will lead to a shortening of production on the models themselves. This fact will allow us to be more flexible toward our customer. Currently, we plan to invest in purchasing a CNC milling machine. Furthermore, we want to expand our team, as it is not possible to work long-term on weekends. I will try to educate and train another team member, just as Mr. Roman Slavíček once did with me.
Thank you for the interview and I wish you much success in realizing your visions.
Questions were posed by Ing. Hana Pikulíková
Czech Art Model
Václav Urban
Pod Kotlářkou 34, 150 00 Prague
Phone: (+420) 602 696 958
urban@czechartmodel.cz
www.czechartmodel.cz
> Czech Art Model page in the catalog
Last year, the modeling studio unexpectedly lost its main leader due to unforeseen events. The modeling studio was on the brink of extinction. It was necessary to decide whether to establish a new company, set new parameters, take on obligations, but also accept a new marketing strategy.
In the past year, 2006, the new studio Czech Art Model has been building its own image. It engages in the production of architectural, technological, and exhibition models for architecture offices, investors, and development companies. It also specializes in producing models for competitions and exhibitions. This is its main activity. Collaboration with future architects – potential customers and assistance with the production of diploma projects is a given.
HP. How did you get into modeling?
VU. Quite by chance, as it often happens...
I wandered into a building where my wife and I were looking for offices for a development company. I rang the nearest door on the ground floor. Mr. Slavíček came to open it for me. One word led to another, and I had the honor of working for Mr. Slavíček for several years.
What is your original profession that allowed you to immediately start this specific activity?
I am trained as a carpenter. The longer I worked in this field, the more I realized my sense for detail. Working with wood, but also with other materials, has always been immensely interesting to me. Nevertheless, I was drawn to models as such. Mr. Slavíček gave me a chance, and I was grateful to him.
 |
Without a doubt, it is the Old Town Hall and the Astronomical Clock, which is functional, just like the real one. Its production was completed in May 2006. It is one of the last models that Mr. Slavíček produced. The first Czech exhibit on a scale of 1:25, which is displayed in Brussels in the outdoor museum of miniatures of the most famous buildings from individual countries of the European Union. The day after returning from Brussels to Prague, circumstances arose that no one expected and that turned my life upside down. They were very sad events that we had to come to terms with…
Who influenced your decision to continue this activity at that time?
Undoubtedly and unequivocally the modelers and my wife. None of us wanted to knock on the doors of another modeling studio, but at the same time, we were terrified by the administration of today's business. Not to mention the risk associated with uncertainty. In the end, we divided roles and began to build a new corporate culture.
Some still left...
Considering that Mr. Slavíček’s modeling studio was originally supposed to move to its own premises, we had to renovate the existing spaces. However, renovations can be financially demanding, so we gradually transformed room by room during weekends.
How did customers perceive these events?
During this difficult period, we were supported by their trust from the marketing director of FINEP, Mr. mgr. Jan Zachariáš. We had the opportunity to produce a model for this development company for the project REZIDENCE CÍSAŘKA II.
 |
This model was special in that we planned to model additional houses into it in the future. The gray parts – interchangeable modules were removed, and individual models of villas – houses including pools, etc. were inserted into the original places. It was very interesting work and a pleasant collaboration. For this company, we produced our first model.
 |
Are developers your only customers?
No, among our customers are also architects. For the competition to design the National Library, we produced three models on a scale of 1:500. It was very interesting but time-consuming work. Nevertheless, we managed to convince our customers that even under the given conditions, we produce at a high quality. In this work, we could subjectively evaluate how architectural studios dealt with the competition conditions.
 |
 |
 |
What model was the most challenging for you in terms of production?
At the turn of the year, we produced a very demanding architectural model. It was a design for a building that would house an exhibition of A. Mucha's paintings - The Slav Epic. A great honor for us was collaborating with acad. arch. Jindřich Smetana.
At that time, we said to ourselves that there couldn't be a model that would surpass Mucha's Epic in terms of difficulty. It is a modern interpretation of the placement of historical paintings in a gallery, where individual staircases and spectator areas are simultaneously suspended on ropes. This unique idea deserves realization. This model is collapsible, and the paintings are illuminated with LED technology.
 |
 |
 |
We are still talking about miniatures. What are you currently producing?
Currently, we are producing very interesting models of historical buildings in the center of Prague.
This is another form of models being produced. It is based on additionally created project documentation. Some historical buildings do not have preserved project documentation. They are beautiful historical buildings that we have the opportunity to visit personally and photograph all the details of the historical building. It is actually the opposite procedure... Models are 90% representations, or approximations of the future. In the production of historical models, the model is a scaled replica of the original. And that literally...
 |
 |
What are your plans for the future?
I will definitely try to restore and expand the equipment in the workshop. This will lead to a shortening of production on the models themselves. This fact will allow us to be more flexible toward our customer. Currently, we plan to invest in purchasing a CNC milling machine. Furthermore, we want to expand our team, as it is not possible to work long-term on weekends. I will try to educate and train another team member, just as Mr. Roman Slavíček once did with me.
 |
Thank you for the interview and I wish you much success in realizing your visions.
Questions were posed by Ing. Hana Pikulíková
Czech Art Model
Václav Urban
Pod Kotlářkou 34, 150 00 Prague
Phone: (+420) 602 696 958
urban@czechartmodel.cz
www.czechartmodel.cz
> Czech Art Model page in the catalog
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