Architecture 1958—89: Intercontinental Hotel 

Karel Filsak — Karel Bubeníček — Jaroslav Švec — Jiří Gebert Intercontinental Hotel in Prague, 1967—1974 

nám. Curieových 5, Praha 1 – Staré Město

Contemporary professional literature praised the Intercontinental Hotel as a highly successful piece of architecture, which maintained a modern aesthetic while integrating harmoniously into its historical surroundings. The neighbourhood includes buildings from the Gothic, Baroque, Art Nouveau, Modernist and Cubist periods.

Otakar Nový highlighted the urban planning qualities of the building, its atypical structure, refined architecture and interiors, which “are an example of renewed high-quality interior design, fully utilising the beauty of reinforced concrete, materials, light and framed views of historic Prague”. Milena Lamarová likewise had an entirely positive opinion of the building.  In addition to the qualities mentioned above, she lauded its “international calibre, distinguishing it from similar structures worldwide. At the same time, Prague has gained a new, distinctive architecture that merges organically into the sensitive urban whole and represents a line of progressive, creatively thoughtful architectural conception”. Zdislav Buříval, former director of the Prague Centre for National Historical Preservation and Environmental Protection, considered the Intercontinental Hotel one of the most successful modern constructions in Prague’s historic centre. Zdeněk Kuna even humbly described it as the most important work of post-war Czech architecture. The contemporary press was equally effusive in its praise: “The statement that it has blended fully into the spirit and atmosphere of its historical surroundings is the highest compliment one could pay its creators”. In the 1990s, when reviewing post-war architecture, Radomíra Sedláková categorised the Intercontinental Hotel’s architecture as a “softened version of concrete Brutalism,” while Rostislav Švácha ranked it among the most significant Brutalist buildings in the country. Oldřich Ševčík referred to it as “a building of extraordinary quality, radiating straightforwardness, roughness and a literal dynamism, so typical of Karel Filsak’s architectural style”. Even recent literature continues to praise it, although Filsak’s other projects, particularly Czechoslovak embassies abroad, tend to overshadow the Intercontinental Hotel. 

The Intercontinental Hotel’s architecture exemplifies how Brutalism, when approached properly, can successfully integrate into historical environments. The high regard from art historians, architects, preservationists and the public press creates a certain aura around the building that can only be envied by contemporary architecture. Brutalist and Technicist structures had long endured negative criticism. At the same time, Karel Filsak’s team created a distinctly Czech architecture, not merely a citation of foreign models. Their design is also more inventive and sophisticated than those from previous competitions.