Petr Suske has passed away

"Petr Suske was an architect in every sense of the word. Architecture was not just a field in which he worked, but a way of life, a place that connected everything else. It is probably unnecessary to mention that he discovered ecological architecture in an international context half a century ago and was a phenomenon in this field. For me, it is more important to remember that Petr was a man with perspective, a gentle and ever-present sense of humor. He was always young in his thinking, free and informal in his own unmistakable work and in teaching students. He devoted more than thirty years to teaching, in Algeria, Belgium, but above all at our faculty. Thanks to this, he is not leaving, he remains with all those he inspired, entertained, and taught," recalls Marek Tichý, his long-time colleague at the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague.

Petr Suske graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague in 1975. Before 1989, he worked at the Research Institute of Local Economy (VÚMH) and abroad – in Algeria and Belgium. As early as 1984, he was involved in the founding of the unofficial SEA association – the Ecological Architecture Group, a platform for architects, engineers, and doctors dealing with ecological issues in architecture. In 1992, the group transformed into an architectural office that continued to develop the principles of ecological construction.

He was a pioneer in his architectural work, promoting the use of natural and local materials, energy-efficient technologies, and a respectful relationship with the environment. His most famous projects include the House with an Umbrella, the Park Holiday Hotel in Benice, the Clay Bastion in Průhonice, the Skyscrapers near Mladá Boleslav, and the L'Ocelot apartment building in Vysočany.