Pavilion of the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague

The Pavilion of the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design by Pavel Janák also represented a significant contribution to the Exhibition of the Contemporary Culture in 1928. Janák handled this task in an entirely original way, deciding to design a bookseller and art trader's residence, where he could present a progressive concept of individual housing and create room for presentations of works of art. At that time, Janák was the head of a studio at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design and his work, which had abandoned the styles of decorative cubism and national decorativism, was already influenced by the ideas of avant-garde architecture.
The design of this exhibition hall reveals that Janák ascribed far more importance to the structure than to the ground plan of building, which is also apparent on the facade. The skeleton, consisting of bare brick pillars and iron I profiles, was in sharp contrast to the light plaster covering the brickwork walling. The terraces on the floors and large panels of shifting windows give lightness to the mass of the structure. The chosen technical and material solution enabled the hall to be built in a mere three months. The ground floor of this three-level building housed a book store and the main exhibition hall. This is also where the exposition of the Academy of Art, Architecture and Design, which enjoyed a very positive reception, was situated. The first and second floor with the bookseller's flat presented a modern family residence with interior design by the school's students.
Janák's pavilion is still a part of the exhibition centre and houses administrative premises. However, the original character of the building has been completely altered due to the seamless plaster layer and connection with the neighbouring Pavilion of the Academy of Fine Arts by Josef Gočár.