This is the first monograph on the life and work of the Czech born British architect Kaplicky (1937-2009). It is a fully comprehensive work based on a decade of research and is a distinctive portrait of one of the most distinguished architects and designers of the 20th and 21st centuries. At the same time it is an exploration into historical events, which influenced a number of talented artists, writers and designers, some of whom were forced, like Kaplicky, to emigrate from Czechoslovakia in order to expand their skills and search for beauty through living in freedom in democratic countries. After immigrating to the United Kingdom in 1968, Kaplicky applied his imagination and diligence and enhanced his skills and aptitude, gaining admiration and respect following the cofounding of the innovative Future Systems studio in 1979. With his wide-ranging architectural and design oeuvre Kaplicky affirmed greatness of his immense talent and ability. The author was a friend, through their shared emigre life experience, giving him broad insight into the inception and realisation of this book. He searched family archives and referenced Kaplickys private diaries. The author drew on everybody who had something important to say and gathered written memories and interviews from Kaplickys friends, colleagues, partners and clients, which form the cornerstone of the monograph. His aim was to write a book that would mirror Kaplickys life and work, a representation made up not only from the authors own point of view, but also according to others with whom Kaplicky had been in contact during his life. The book has many voices and has a kaleidoscopic format, which truly explores Kaplickys complex personality and his creativity. It does not overwhelm with excessive information, but builds a picture of the man behind his designs and tells his story. The author presents Kaplickys personal side with sensitivity and explains his dramatic decision-making.
Ivan Margolius was born in Prague, studied architecture there, which he completed in London after leaving Czechoslovakia in 1966. As an architect he worked with Yorke Rosenberg Mardall, SOM and Foster + Partners. He published books and articles on art, architecture, engineering, design and automobile history. He collaborated with Future Systems on several projects and with Jan Kaplicky' coauthored Czech Inspiration Ceska Inspirace (Prague, 2005).
"The author has placed many voices alongside his own, there are interviews and dedication texts, there are memories and contemporary documents ... The book thus has ... a kaleidoscopic format that really explores Kaplicky's complex personality and creativity. A quiet, concentrated and yet also lively representation of what years ago was still thought about the future - including that of construction. The readers will find out or not that beauty played a role." -- Deutsche BauZeitschrift, October 2022 2021 Miroslav Ivanov Prize for Non-fiction Literature This is the first monograph on the life and work of the Czech-born British architect Jan Kaplicky (1937-2009), cofounder with Amanda Levete of the innovative Future Systems studio in 1979. While the author was a friend and fellow Czech emigre, the book has many voices and a kaleidopscopic format that truly explore Kaplickys complex personality and creativity. Architectural Record, Dec 2022
