Eva Jiřičná - Bartlett International Lecture Series

50 years of learning and collaboration

Lecturer's Abstract

This lecture centres around Eva's experience of coming to London from Czechoslovakia in 1968 and the shock of discovering a truly swinging London and something which she did not experience before - freedom. 

This lecture will explore the changing nature of London at the end of the 20th century, and how architecture and the nature of collaboration has changed. Eva will discuss her own experience of learning from and working with people on the production line from small craftsmen to large manufacturing outfits and finding out ways of how to do the impossible. She will share the risks and joys of the process, coping with success and disappointment and having lots of sleepless nights and lots of fun.

Eva will draw on examples from her own practice including; Brighton Marina, Lloyd’s of London, Philharmonic Orchestra Building, Orangery at Prague’s Castle and many more.

Biography

Eva Jiřičná, a Czech born architect based in London since 1968 completed her architectural education at The Technical University in Prague where she qualified with a title of an Engineer-Architect and later on at The Academy of Fine Arts where she completed her Masters degree. After the Russian Invasion she remained in England - working on the Brighton Marina project and on Lloyd’s Building and starting her own practice in 1982.

Eva became well known for the interiors of shops and residential projects and mainly glass staircases but also for her work at the V&A, Canada Water Bus Station, Leicester Library, Orangery at Prague’s Castle and many others. She opened another practice AI DESIGN in Prague in 1999, and completed many projects including hotels, University buildings, Multipurpose Auditorium amongst others.

Eva has been appointed Professor and has a long teaching experience. She is a member of Royal Academy of Arts, Royal Designer for Industry, and an honorary member of the Royal Society of Arts. She has been awarded by CBE and received 10 honorary doctorates. Recently she has been awarded the Ambassador of the Czech Republic by the Czech Top 100 and Lifetime Achievement Medal by the London Design Festival.

Image: Somerset House 0005 - Credit to Peter Cook

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Supported by Fletcher Priest Architects   

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