Zprávy památkové péče 2019, 79(2):154-159 | DOI: 10.56112/zpp.2019.2.06

Sun instead of coal. The beginnings of solar architecture in Czechoslovakia

Veronika Vicherková

Ústav teorie a dějin architektury FA ČVUT

The progressive devastation of the environment due to industry, mining, and energy production in thermal power plants brought about the first environmental movements in former Czechoslovakia, albeit somewhat delayed in comparison with Western Europe, in the 1970s. Along with this, the possibilities of alternative energy sources began to be investigated, including thermal energy using solar radiation. In the mid-1970s, as well as abroad, the use of solar thermal collector equipment for domestic hot water began to be developed together with attempts at technologies for solar heating buildings. Along with this, the first designs of "solar architecture" were created, i.e. buildings whose form satisfies the efficient use of solar thermal energy. In the pre-1989 period, only some projects were successfully implemented, a selection of which would illustrate the development of solar architecture in Czechoslovakia. Still, solar architecture, as well as solar power, remained in the hands of a few enthusiasts, despite the fact that energy savings and the use of solar energy were prescribed by the State Economy Plan for the Seventh Five-Year Plan (1981-1985).
The North Bohemian company Stavoprojekt Liberec (Sial), Atelier 2, led by Karel Hubáček, was long involved in designing buildings for extreme environments. It was natural that the pursuit of autonomous structures also brought an interest in energy independence and hence an interest in solar energy. Jiří Suchomel, having become acquainted with the concept of the Danish zero-energi-huis, was inspired to modify the project of a culture house for Česká Lípa, and this building became one of the first such realizations in this country, even though the first projects came from the early 1970s.
The use of sunlight for water heating and air-conditioning in swimming pool environments was discussed from the early 1980s by architects Lukáš Liesler and Eduard Schleger, employees of Sportprojekt. Within a single building type, they developed a recognizable architectural style and an identifiable personal approach based on the development of "solar morphology".
The idea of solar heating was, of course, most appealing as it applied to residential buildings. Despite a number of projects and even entire residential districts that held to the concept of special solar urbanism, appearing independently from several authors (such as Michal Flašar within VÚVA, Jiří Suchomel from Stavoprojekt in Liberec, Jan and Irena Velek, freelance), only unique constructions of private builders were realized, such as the original private house of the architect Hrazdira in Ostrava near Zlín. Evidence of the unlimited use of solar energy and architectural morphology is provided in the house of prayer of the Hus Corps in Benešov by architect Petr Kovář, who also points out that the use of alternative energy sources depended only on the will and interest of the investor.
The article concludes by outlining possible perspectives of alternative energy systems in relation to heritage care.

Keywords: ecology, architecture, solar energy, solar architecture, postwar architecture, 1970-80s, Czechoslovakia

Published: June 1, 2019  Show citation