Jan Kaplický

Jan Kaplický, a Czech architect, is perhaps most famous for designing the iconic Selfridges Building in Birmingham, England. This avant-garde structure, covered in thousands of silver aluminum discs, was completed in 2003. The project was highly celebrated and won the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize nomination.

After moving to London, Jan Kaplický co-founded the progressive, futuristic architecture practice Future Systems alongside David Nixon. Future Systems became renowned in the 1980s and 90s for its highly futuristic, organic designs that broke away from traditional architecture. The firm was eventually absorbed into the larger Amanda Levete Architects firm.

Yes, his most prominent and controversial work in his home country is the Ennis building (originally known as the Catholic Church in Český Těšín). He also designed a highly publicized, modern pavilion for the Czech Republic at the 2005 World Expo in Aichi, Japan. This expo pavilion won widespread international acclaim for its sweeping, curved design.

Jan Kaplický and his firm Future Systems won the RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK's highest architectural honor, in 2003. The award was specifically granted for their innovative and futuristic design of the Selfridges Building in Birmingham. This cemented his legacy as a visionary in modern British architecture.