Dancing House
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The Dancing House (Czech: Tančící dům) is the nickname given to the Nationale-Nederlanden building in downtown Prague, Czech Republic at Rašínovo nábřeží 80, 120 00 Praha 2. It was designed by Yugoslavian-born Czech architect Vlado Milunić in co-operation with Canadian architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront plot (where the previous building had been destroyed during the Bombing of Prague in 1945). The building was designed in 1992 and completed in 1996.[1]
The very non-traditional design was controversial at the time. Czech president Václav Havel, who lived for decades next to the site, had supported it, hoping that the building would become a center of cultural activity.
Originally named Fred and Ginger (after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - the house vaguely resembles a pair of dancers) the house stands out among the Neo-Baroque, Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings for which Prague is famous. Others have nicknamed it "Drunk House".
On the roof is a French restaurant with magnificent views of the city. The building's other tenants include several multinational firms. (The plans for a cultural center were not realized.)
[edit] References
- ^ NATIONALE-NEDERLANDEN BUILDING Frank O. Gehry, The Architect's Studio. Digital catalog of the Henry Art Gallery at arcspace
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dancing House |
- 360 Panorama Photos of the Dancing House
- Dancing House Prague by Frank Gehry
- Radio Prague article with Vlado Milunic
