Podzemný Richard Ferdinand (1907–1987)

Large separating grid from the terrace of functionalist house, 1931

Bohemia, design by the architect R. F. Podzemný for a house in Louňovice, made in 1931, oblong iron sections, dimensions 4.82 x 1.36 m, cross-section 2 x 2 cm
R. F. Podzemný studied between 1926–31 at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague under Pavel Janák. In 1935 he established his own architectural office and was active in a number of artists’ associations and unions. He took part in several exhibitions in the country and abroad, where he received honorary mentions, such as in Milan in 1937 and 1940 and in 1940 in Brussels. From 1950 he worked for the Prague Project Design Institute. His work was steeped in functionalism, always emphasizing the quality of the work and the union of the building with the environment. His well-known Glass Palace (nicknamed Skleňák) in Prague-Dejvice is one of the best residential buildings erected before WWII. Another of his well-known built projects is the swimming stadium at Podolí in Prague.