30 Years of Sacred Architecture by Marek Štěpán

At the VUTIUM Publishing House, the publication Marek Jan Štěpán. SAKRAL (1991–2021) is being released, presenting the sacred buildings designed by Marek Štěpán over the past thirty years. Although the architect’s portfolio is much more diverse, the public perceives him mainly as a church architect. For his buildings and church reconstructions, he has received numerous awards, including international ones. The ceremonial book launch will take place on Thursday, 27 November at 6 p.m. at the Museum of Decorative Arts, Husova 14 in Brno. You are warmly invited.

The richly produced publication documents twelve sacred buildings and reconstructions created between 1991 and 2021. The timeframe is defined by the Church of Lesná in Brno, with which the book both opens and closes. In 1991, Marek Štěpán won a competition with his diploma thesis for a spiritual and pastoral centre for the Lesná housing estate, but the project was not realized at that time. Instead, his second design was carried out, resulting in today’s church dedicated to Blessed Maria Restituta.

Marek Štěpán studied New Forms in Historical Environment and Theory of Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture of BUT between 1985 and 1991. As architectural historian and theorist Vladimír Šlapeta mentions in the book’s introduction, Štěpán was fortunate to be guided in his early student years by lecturer Jaroslav Drápal, who opened paths for him to explore spatial structures and their significance for sacred architecture. After founding his own architectural studio, Štěpán found the core of his creative work precisely in an area that had lost significance in the pragmatically oriented 20th century. Through his lifelong creative effort, Marek Štěpán proves that a return to sacred architecture — the building of a temple — can be the highest artistic mission. In one interview he stated: "In a world of constant visual stimuli and advertising, the church should offer undisturbed peace and a place for contemplation." His church in Sazovice was included among the world’s best buildings.

The retrospective of Marek Štěpán’s sacred work presents not only completed buildings but also unrealized projects and visions, typological variations of liturgical space across numerous personal and historical examples. The publication also includes many hand-drawn sketches that reveal the architectural thinking of a creative designer in today’s highly digitalized age. From this perspective, the book is also important for educating the next generation of architects, whom Marek Štěpán teaches at his alma mater. Last year, the respected FA BUT lecturer received the Brno City Award for his contribution to architecture and urbanism.

You can explore the new publication as early as 27 November at its ceremonial launch at the Museum of Decorative Arts. After the presentation of the publication and the symbolic christening, the event will move from the foyer to the gallery atrium under the Cloud, where a music and light show will take place, before returning under the gallery roof. You will be able to purchase the book, have it signed, and enjoy a buffet while listening to poetry.