Jan Kotěra

, Jan Kotěra ( born December 18, 1871 in Brno, † April 17, 1923 in Prague) was a Czech architect, designer and graphic artist. He is considered the founder of modern Czech architecture.

Life

Kotera studied under Otto Wagner at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna.

Initially influenced by the Vienna Secession, took his buildings under the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright increasingly functionalist forms. At the same time he took on elements of Czech folk architecture, creating a unique style that combines modern with folk elements.

Not only by its architectural works, but also as a high school teacher he exercised a great influence on the subsequent generation of Czech architects. Significant students were among other Gočár and Bohuslav Fuchs.

Kotera was a professor at the Art Academy in Prague and founder of the architecture class.

Important buildings

• Conversion and extension of the castle Cerveny Hradek (1894-1896)
• Peterka at Wenceslas Square in Prague (1899-1900)
• People's House in Prostějov ( 1905-07 )
• House Laichter in Vinohrady ( 1908/ 09)
• Museum of East Bohemia in Hradec Králové ( Hradec Kralove ) ( 1909-12 )
• Urbánek-Haus/Mozarteum in Prague ( 1911-13 )
• Villa of the industrialist Paul Lemberg in Vienna XIX. , Grinzinger Allee 50-52.
• Faculty of Law of Charles University in Prague ( 1907-31 )