Architecture studios in Central Europe have been chronically overlooked, claims Chybik + Kristof co-founder Ond?ej Chybík in this interview.
Chybík, who says his own studio is the largest in the Czech Republic, is on a mission to put architecture from his home country ? as well as Slovakia, Poland and Hungary ? firmly on the global design map.
"No-one can name anybody" from Central European architecture scene
"If I go somewhere and I talk about Czech architecture or Central European architecture, almost no-one can name anybody," he told Dezeen.
"I think there is a huge opportunity to show off a bit," he added. "I'd like to work on that for the next decade ? not just to promote our studio, but to explain what our generation is about to the general public all around the world." To that end, Chybik + Kristof will next month open an office in London, sharing a space with local studio Haptic.
Ond?ej Chybík (left) established Chybik + Kristof together with Michal Kristof in 2010. Photo by Simona Modra
That is partly because Chybik + Kristof has become a big fish in a small pond at home, he explains, but also to raise the international profile of its peer group.
"The true motivation was to offer the opinion of our generation to other territories ? our right to be a voice in the contemporary architecture discussion," Chybík said.
In an attempt to contribute to that discussion, Chybik + Kristof is accompanying the opening of its ...