Josef gocar biography

Josef Gocar

Czech architect and planner
Date of Birth: 13.03.1880
Country: Czech

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Cubist and Rondo-Cubist Period
  3. Functionalist Influence and Urban Planning
  4. Teaching Career
  5. Key Works
  6. Cathedral of St. Wenceslas, Prague (1929)

Early Life and Education

Josef Gočár was born in Semín, Bohemia, on March 13, 1880. He studied architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague under the renowned architect Jan Kotěra.

Cubist and Rondo-Cubist Period

Gočár's early works exhibited a distinct Cubist style. Notable examples include the House of the Black Madonna in Prague (1911) and the Water Tower in Lázně Bohdaneč (1912). Later, he developed the unique Rondo-Cubist style, characterized by softer forms and curved edges.

Functionalist Influence and Urban Planning

Gočár gradually incorporated Functionalist elements into his designs towards the end of the 1920s, yet he never fully embraced the Functionalist movement. He devoted considerable attention to the city of Hradec Králové, serving as both an architect and urban planner.

Teaching Career

Alongside his architectural practice, Gočár also pursued a teaching career. He taught at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague from 1924 to 1945, where he influenced a generation of young architects.

Key Works

Gočár's architectural legacy includes numerous iconic buildings, such as:

Cathedral of St. Wenceslas, Prague (1929)

School, Ústí nad Labem (1909)
City Museum, Jaroměř (1913)
Gymnasium of Kaetan Tyl, Hradec Králové (1926)
Bank of the Czech Legions, Prague (1923)
Later Works and Legacy

In his later years, Gočár continued to design buildings, including the House of Agricultural Office in Prague (1938) and the Flour Mill in Pardubice (1911). His unique blend of Cubism, Rondo-Cubism, and Functionalism left an enduring mark on Czech architecture. Josef Gočár passed away in Prague on October 10, 1945, leaving behind a rich architectural heritage that continues to inspire.