'Octopus' library stirs up Czechs

BBC ^ | Monday, May 14, 2007 | Rob Cameron

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

The futuristic design has provoked strong reactions

A controversy has erupted in the Czech Republic over the design of a new national library building in Prague.

The design, by the Czech-born architect Jan Kaplicky, seems to be loved and loathed in equal measure. Czechs have nicknamed it "the Octopus".

Mr Kaplicky has come up with what can best be described as a nine-storey green and purple blob.

Now even President Vaclav Klaus has joined the increasingly bitter debate. He is among the opponents.

Letna Plain, a dusty and windswept strip of land just a stone's throw away from Prague Castle, is to be the home of the new Czech national library in a few years' time.

The library will be purpose-built to house the country's priceless collection of 10 million books and manuscripts.

On one side, Mr Kaplicky's fans say the Czech capital should be honoured to host his latest creation.

But President Klaus said the design was so ugly, he would prevent construction going ahead with his own body.

The president's spokesman says Mr Klaus was joking, but in an architectural jewel such as Prague, putting up new buildings is always a deadly serious matter.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

The library design isn't all that ugly, even if it is unorthodox. Then again, it is their national library (their counterpart to the Library of Congress here).

[Nailbiter]

Architect studied at same school as BJ’s architect

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Europe pinglist ping.

[PastorBooks]

That is the ugliest thing that I’ve ever seen. It’s worthy to be the Democrat National Headquarters.

[jocon307]

Oy veh, it’s hideous! It looks like some old piece of 1960s furniture, with sea-sickness.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

There seems to be general consensus that it is ugly. Personally, it looks spacey, and sort of a fan of bold colors.

[neb52]

“Architect studied at same school as BJ’s architect”

5th grade doodling class?

[Nailbiter]

could be LOL

[Right Wing Assault]

It's already been done.

[gotribe]

Its design will attract kids for sure. Not a bad thing.

[6SJ7]

It looks a bit like a cheese souffle gone bad.

[headsonpikes]

Here’s the prototype:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051418/

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

They should shoot the architect!

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Have yet to watch The Blob. Suspect it's similar to King Kong or Godzilla--not worth watching.

[headsonpikes]

I saw it back in the day as a 14 year old.

I liked it then, but it was no Forbidden Planet!

[Fairview]

Horrendous. A sin. And this is to be near Prague Castle? I don’t think so. I’d lay my body in front of the bulldozers too, and I wouldn’t be joking.

This is fine as a joke, to help the architect’s “career” (which is the same as his notoriety) but as an expenditure of taxpayer funds, it’s very wrong. Because of course people will be so shamed and disappointed in it, it will be torn down and replaced at greater expense in just a few years.

Prague Castle is not the place for architectural experimentation, especially not at the public expense.

[The Louiswu]

What would Howard Roark say?

[Jeff F]

Its design will attract kids for sure.

Yes, but none of them will be old enough to read.

[wolf78]

The library design isn't all that ugly, even if it is unorthodox. Then again, it is their national library (their counterpart to the Library of Congress here).

I agree. Such a building would be a great headquarter for a someone like Yahoo or some other tech company. As a national library I would e.g. prefer one of Sir Norman Fosters designs. They are simple, yet elegant. Great example: The Reichtstag rennovation in Berlin.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Teletubbies hive collective.. does the booba mothership dock to it?

LOL