Open House Praha Competitors

Unique, dynamic and international, the Architectural Association School of Architecture was originally set up in 1847 as a public forum and learned society, in/famously founded by 'a pack of troublesome students'. The AA is much more than the UK's oldest school of architecture; the school is the nexus of a global conglomeration of contemporary architectural culture, as well as its pasts. The AA’s incarnations include: a professional association; a vibrant membership organisation comprising more than 4500 members; a registered charity; AA Publications, publisher of books and journals; AA Bookshop, one of London’s leading architectural booksellers; and a high-profile public events programme, including a wealth of exhibitions, lectures, symposia, seminars, conversations, research clusters and visits. All this takes place at the AA’s newly consolidated campus home on its historic site in Bedford Square in Bloomsbury, central London and its site in Dorset for the development of rural architectures and sustainable technologies.

National Gallery Prague, whose tradition dates back to 1796, is one of the world's oldest public art collections. It currently owns the largest art collection in the Czech Republic, which presents in seven historic buildings representing the rich architectural development of Prague. The collections of the National Gallery include the masterpieces of the Central European Middle Ages, outstanding works of world masters from Rubens through Gauguin to Picasso, Asian art and, last but not least, the key personalities of Czech fine art. Free entry to all short-term exhibitions and permanent exhibitions for visitors under 16.

The Vitra Design Museum numbers among the world’s leading museums of design. It is dedicated to the research and presentation of design, past and present, and examines design’s relationship to architecture, art and everyday culture. In the main museum building by Frank Gehry, the museum annually mounts two major temporary exhibitions. Smaller parallel shows are presented in the Vitra Design Museum Gallery, a neighbouring exhibition space. Often developed with renowned designers, many of the museum’s exhibitions cover highly relevant contemporary themes, such as future technologies, sustainability or questions like mobility and social awareness. Others address historical aspects or protagonists. The work of the Vitra Design Museum is based on its collection, which encompasses not only key objects of design history, but also the estates of several important figures (including Charles & Ray Eames, George Nelson, Verner Panton and Alexander Girard). The museum library and document archive are available to researchers upon request. The museum conceives its exhibitions for touring, and they are shown at venues around the world. On the Vitra Campus, they are complemented by a diverse programme of events, guided tours and workshops.