Palác Chicago, Functionalist palace in New Town, Czech Republic.
Palác Chicago is a functionalist building in Prague's New Town, defined by clean lines and expansive windows across its facade. The structure demonstrates how purpose takes priority over decoration, with geometric forms and unadorned surfaces throughout.
The building was designed by Josef Havlíček and Jaroslav Joseph Polivka in 1927 during a period of rapid architectural change. This period saw the newly independent Czechoslovakia experimenting boldly with modern design approaches.
The building represents the shift toward functionalism that reshaped Czech design in the interwar period, moving away from ornamental styles. This change in thinking is visible in every detail of the facade and interior layout.
The building sits near Wenceslas Square and is easily reached on foot from the city center. The facade is fully visible from street level, making it accessible to explore at any time of day.
The building employs steel and glass in ways that were unusual for 1920s Prague. This material experimentation was ahead of its time and showed how advanced local construction methods had become.
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