REAL ESTATE NEWS

The First Woman of Czech Architecture

Alena Sramkova is known for her diligence and rigorous principles concerning the simplicity of her designs. Let us hope that these beliefs shine through when she overlooks the renovation of Prague's main train station, a historical gem waiting for a facelift.

Although Alena Sramkova is 79 years old, her robust and vibrant control over her life and career is impressive and seems to be everlasting. The Czech Chamber of Architects recently awarded her the esteemed CKA prize for her life's work; this award is bittersweet for Alena Sramkova as most architects receive this award after retirement.

After a long struggle and plenty of rejection during the dark days of Communism, she has emerged successful, opening her own studio in 1992 and having worked on various projects among them the Mustek administration building. This building is home to offices and the retail store New Yorker; not only a commercial success, it has been labeled as a highlight of Czech Post Modernism. The reconstruction was a collaboration between Alena Sramkova and the architect Jan Sramek, her late husband. Unfortunately Jan Sramek passed away before the completion of their joint project. The renovation took a long ten years as she is never afraid to completely start over in pursuit of perfection.

The design of the main train station's ticket hall was originally her husband's project and his plans were finished in 1970. Alena Sramkova will overlook the entire project, making sure every last detail is perfect and furthermore, she has promised the train station will not turn into yet another anonymous commercial property. The station will retain it's original splendor and will appear as it did in it's own era. < back