Options of the Village - A Book of Architectural Stories of the Czech Countryside
An alternative guide for architects and architecture enthusiasts is being published. The book "Options of the Village" tells the stories of twelve Czech villages that have undergone dramatic architectural transformations over the last 20 years. It focuses on villages that have embraced contemporary architecture as well as well-executed renovations or perfectly maintained public spaces. The authors of the book are literary documentarian Michaela Hečková and designer Matěj Chabera, who loosely follow up on the previous title "20,000" about contemporary architecture in small Czech towns.
The publication maps the architectural transformations of Czech villages from Šumava through Krkonoš, the forgotten Frýdlantsko, the deserted Rychlebské Mountains, the picturesque surroundings of Litomyšl, to the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy and the Znojmo wine region. It follows the architectural trails of 20 Czech architectural studios, such as Mjölk architects or Atelier M1 architects, and also examines the work of landscape architects. The foundation of the book consists of interviews by Michaela Hečková with twelve mayors, complemented by comments from architects and original photographs and illustrations by designer Matěj Chabera.
“The book guides you through the Czech countryside. You will find a portrait of the ambitious Beskydy villages of Trojanovice and Palkovice, the well-known Líbeznice, which held an incredible 6 architectural competitions in the past 10 years, Nevřeň, which has embarked on building a community center, Caolinum, and a tourist homage to kaolin mining, as well as the undiscovered border village of Heřmanice in Frýdlantsko with its incredibly active and hardworking mayor, as well as the perfectly maintained Poříčí near Litomyšl, which holds the Green Oscar for municipalities – the European award Entente Florale. You can easily use the book as an alternative guide for travels if you are interested in contemporary architecture. It is also a source of inspiration if you work professionally on rural development as an architect, municipal architect, mayor, or engaged citizen,” says the author of the book, Michaela Hečková.
The guide "Options of the Village" brings inspiration to architects, fans of contemporary architecture, mayors, residents of villages and cities, or simply travelers in the Czech landscape. Successful architectural changes are transformed into the stories of villages, their mayors, and residents through authorial interviews and photographs. Selected villages feature new schools, renovated churches, municipal offices, cultural centers, observation towers, unexpectedly aesthetic fire stations, or the only open kaolin mine in the Czech Republic. However, quality architecture is just the tip of the iceberg. The book uncovers often hidden histories, internal motivations, and creative compromises that underlie the creation of buildings.
“The standards of villages are shifting. After 1989, it was necessary to get the Czech countryside back on its feet. Mayors were struggling with road repairs and handling long-term property disputes. Schools and kindergartens were lacking. Sewage systems were being introduced. Basic infrastructure is now starting to look quite saturated. It is time for a second goal. This can be precisely architecture as a tool for strengthening identity. That is also why I am very pleased that the introduction was taken on by the mayor of the successful Dolní Břežany, Věslav Michalik,” adds Hečková.
The concept and texts of the publication are authored by Michaela Hečková, who has long been dedicated to architecture in smaller Czech towns or villages. She is a co-author and editor of cultural strategies for MČ Prague 10, MČ Prague 14, and the town of Broumov. Currently, she serves as the secretary of the editorial board of the Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague and the Center for Architecture and Urban Planning (CAMP). The author of the photographs, illustrations, and graphic design of the book is designer Matěj Chabera, who is also behind the recent new identity of the Šumava town of Vimperk.
“The concept of the book is based on the close connection of authentic text with authorial photographs. Everything was created in parallel; each place we visited and experienced. The result of this process is literary-visual collages. The illustrations help unify the diverse chapters in a light summary. It culminates in an abstract and positive shape on the cover of the book,” says Matěj Chabera.
The authors build on authentic experiences, personal observations, detailed research of the environment, and documentary interviews with representatives of the municipalities and creators of architectural realizations. They perceive the village as the smallest possible scale at which successful architectural practice can be effectively demonstrated.
"Options of the Village: Portraits of Architectural Transformation in the Czech Countryside"
Michaela Hečková, Matěj Chabera
Number of pages: 224
1st edition, 2021
About the authors:
Michaela Hečková (1986) focuses on literary documentation in the field of architecture of life in the city or countryside. She studied Czech studies and cultural studies at the Faculty of Arts of Palacký University Olomouc and new media at the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University in Brno. She participated in projects of cultural regeneration of Prague's Jižní Město and Černý Most housing estates. She collaborated with Ondřej Kobza on artistic interventions in public spaces of many Czech and European cities. She is a co-author and editor of cultural strategies for MČ Prague 10, MČ Prague 14, and the town of Broumov. Currently, she serves as the secretary of the editorial board of the Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague. In 2017, she published her debut "About Cities and People," capturing 33 stories of local cultural actors revitalizing the public space of Czech cities. In 2019, she followed it with the publication "20,000," which maps 20 portraits of contemporary architecture in small Czech towns with up to 20,000 inhabitants. "Options of the Village" is the conclusion of this loose urban trilogy.
Matěj Chabera (1982) is a designer connecting the fields of graphic and product design. His work is based on an extensive and continuously evolving personal methodology that surpasses visuality or style in significance. Chabera designs visual identities, books, experimental objects, industrial products, and furniture. He studied philosophy, psychology, and history of art at Charles University, graphic design and design in architecture at Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, and as the first Czech graduated in Design Products at the Royal College of Art in London. He established his Prague studio and brand in 2009 and designs for a spectrum of international clients. He is the author of the new visual identity of the town of Vimperk. Together with Michaela Hečková, he is credited with the book "20,000."
The publication maps the architectural transformations of Czech villages from Šumava through Krkonoš, the forgotten Frýdlantsko, the deserted Rychlebské Mountains, the picturesque surroundings of Litomyšl, to the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy and the Znojmo wine region. It follows the architectural trails of 20 Czech architectural studios, such as Mjölk architects or Atelier M1 architects, and also examines the work of landscape architects. The foundation of the book consists of interviews by Michaela Hečková with twelve mayors, complemented by comments from architects and original photographs and illustrations by designer Matěj Chabera.
“The book guides you through the Czech countryside. You will find a portrait of the ambitious Beskydy villages of Trojanovice and Palkovice, the well-known Líbeznice, which held an incredible 6 architectural competitions in the past 10 years, Nevřeň, which has embarked on building a community center, Caolinum, and a tourist homage to kaolin mining, as well as the undiscovered border village of Heřmanice in Frýdlantsko with its incredibly active and hardworking mayor, as well as the perfectly maintained Poříčí near Litomyšl, which holds the Green Oscar for municipalities – the European award Entente Florale. You can easily use the book as an alternative guide for travels if you are interested in contemporary architecture. It is also a source of inspiration if you work professionally on rural development as an architect, municipal architect, mayor, or engaged citizen,” says the author of the book, Michaela Hečková.
The guide "Options of the Village" brings inspiration to architects, fans of contemporary architecture, mayors, residents of villages and cities, or simply travelers in the Czech landscape. Successful architectural changes are transformed into the stories of villages, their mayors, and residents through authorial interviews and photographs. Selected villages feature new schools, renovated churches, municipal offices, cultural centers, observation towers, unexpectedly aesthetic fire stations, or the only open kaolin mine in the Czech Republic. However, quality architecture is just the tip of the iceberg. The book uncovers often hidden histories, internal motivations, and creative compromises that underlie the creation of buildings.
“The standards of villages are shifting. After 1989, it was necessary to get the Czech countryside back on its feet. Mayors were struggling with road repairs and handling long-term property disputes. Schools and kindergartens were lacking. Sewage systems were being introduced. Basic infrastructure is now starting to look quite saturated. It is time for a second goal. This can be precisely architecture as a tool for strengthening identity. That is also why I am very pleased that the introduction was taken on by the mayor of the successful Dolní Břežany, Věslav Michalik,” adds Hečková.
The concept and texts of the publication are authored by Michaela Hečková, who has long been dedicated to architecture in smaller Czech towns or villages. She is a co-author and editor of cultural strategies for MČ Prague 10, MČ Prague 14, and the town of Broumov. Currently, she serves as the secretary of the editorial board of the Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague and the Center for Architecture and Urban Planning (CAMP). The author of the photographs, illustrations, and graphic design of the book is designer Matěj Chabera, who is also behind the recent new identity of the Šumava town of Vimperk.
“The concept of the book is based on the close connection of authentic text with authorial photographs. Everything was created in parallel; each place we visited and experienced. The result of this process is literary-visual collages. The illustrations help unify the diverse chapters in a light summary. It culminates in an abstract and positive shape on the cover of the book,” says Matěj Chabera.
The authors build on authentic experiences, personal observations, detailed research of the environment, and documentary interviews with representatives of the municipalities and creators of architectural realizations. They perceive the village as the smallest possible scale at which successful architectural practice can be effectively demonstrated.
"Options of the Village: Portraits of Architectural Transformation in the Czech Countryside"
Michaela Hečková, Matěj Chabera
Number of pages: 224
1st edition, 2021
About the authors:
Michaela Hečková (1986) focuses on literary documentation in the field of architecture of life in the city or countryside. She studied Czech studies and cultural studies at the Faculty of Arts of Palacký University Olomouc and new media at the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University in Brno. She participated in projects of cultural regeneration of Prague's Jižní Město and Černý Most housing estates. She collaborated with Ondřej Kobza on artistic interventions in public spaces of many Czech and European cities. She is a co-author and editor of cultural strategies for MČ Prague 10, MČ Prague 14, and the town of Broumov. Currently, she serves as the secretary of the editorial board of the Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague. In 2017, she published her debut "About Cities and People," capturing 33 stories of local cultural actors revitalizing the public space of Czech cities. In 2019, she followed it with the publication "20,000," which maps 20 portraits of contemporary architecture in small Czech towns with up to 20,000 inhabitants. "Options of the Village" is the conclusion of this loose urban trilogy.
Matěj Chabera (1982) is a designer connecting the fields of graphic and product design. His work is based on an extensive and continuously evolving personal methodology that surpasses visuality or style in significance. Chabera designs visual identities, books, experimental objects, industrial products, and furniture. He studied philosophy, psychology, and history of art at Charles University, graphic design and design in architecture at Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, and as the first Czech graduated in Design Products at the Royal College of Art in London. He established his Prague studio and brand in 2009 and designs for a spectrum of international clients. He is the author of the new visual identity of the town of Vimperk. Together with Michaela Hečková, he is credited with the book "20,000."
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