Today, a tram was named after the architect Jan Kotěr in Prague
The Škoda 15T tram with number 9323 will be a reminder of the Brno native and author of a number of buildings, modern interiors and furniture pieces. In the museum of public transport in Vršovice, today, in addition to the presentation of the tram, will baptize a new book published by Dopravní podnik hl. m of Prague ’13 + 1 story of the 130-year-old Petrin cable car ‘.
Architects descendants and representatives of the transport company took part in the premiere trips from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (ÚMPRUM) to the Museum of Public Transport in Vršovice. The museum has one of Kotěr’s other works – the “mayor’s” tram registration number 200 from 1900.
Jan Kotěra’s most famous Art Nouveau buildings and projects include Peter’s House on Wenceslas Square or a number of villas and tombstones. Furthermore, the National House in Prostějov or the Vršovická waterworks reservoir. His last major work was the building of the Faculty of Law of Charles University, which was completed by his collaborator Ladislav Machoň after Kotěr’s death.
Kotěra studied from 1894 at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts with the Austrian urban planner Otto Wagner. In 1897 Kotěra went on a one-year scholarship to Italy. His style was therefore influenced by Wagnerian modernism on the one hand and Italian-oriented classicism on the other.
“Despite the geometric form of Art Nouveau and the simple lines of rational modernity, he eventually worked on buildings in the spirit of modern classicism,” Kotěr’s architectural style summarizes the posters that travelers 9323 can read.
“His close friends included sculptors Stanislav Sucharda and Jan Štursa, publisher Jan Laichter or Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik,” the educational posters add.
On Saturday, the anniversary of his birth was also commemorated by the happening in Brno. The organizer Petr Svoboda from the National Monuments Institute reminded him that there are no Kotěr’s important buildings in Brno, he signed the city significantly through his pupils Josef Gočár or Bohuslav Fuchs. Another of his disciples, František Lýdie Gahura, shaped the form of modern Zlín.