Zprávy památkové péče 2017, 77(5):581-590

Hospitals on the outskirts of the city: the second life of the avant-garde

Jaroslav Zeman

NPÚ, ÚOP v Liberci

A significant part of construction before 1989 was not only due to the construction of housing estates but also to healthcare buildings. The unprecedented development in this area in the second half of the 20th century caused Czechoslovakia to have the densest planned distribution of healthcare facilities in the Central European region in terms of population. The hospital in Česká Lípa (1976-1982) is one of the most significant achievements of the pioneer of the Czechoslovakian avant-garde, Vít Obrtel. Its construction is related to the overall regulation of the city following a significant increase in the number of inhabitants as part of the development of the uranium industry. The construction was to be carried out as a single investment unit, but for economic reasons it was eventually divided into three stages. It was originally planned as a type I hospital, but already during the construction, the building program was adapted to a type II hospital. The Česká Lípa hospital represents the logical completion of Obrtel's distinctive work and at the same time is proof that even the well-thought-out and typified architecture under the leadership of an experienced and artistically talented artist has unquestionable qualities. Together with the remarkable set of buildings of the Liberec association SIAL, this is one of the most valuable examples of the architecture of the second half of the 20th century, not only in the Česká Lípa area but also in the wider area of northern Bohemia.

Keywords: Česká Lípa, hospital, post-war architecture, interwar avant-garde, Vít Obrtel

Published: December 1, 2017  Show citation