CGD

"The potential we've not yet fulfilled and the possibilities that will open up in the future represent a big challenge for us." Petr Kaštovský, Director of KERS Investment, founder of Cihelna Concept Store

Presenting a sophisticated range of the best Czech contemporary design products, Cihelna Concept Store opened in Prague last autumn. This spacious, pure-white showroom and gallery is located in the historical building of Hergetova cihelna, which dates back to late 1700s. Cihelna Concept Store sells top-quality Czech design and contemporary handicraft in the very heart of the Prague tourist scene in the Lesser Town close to the most important sights. Store manager and curator Silvie Luběnová, a.k.a. illustrator and designer Maestrokatastrof, has assembled a number of carefully selected world-class Czech products. Lit by Jan Plecháč and Henry Wielgus' acclaimed Neverending Glory suspension lights designed for Lasvit in North Bohemia, the store displays robotically fabricated glass products by BOMMA, conceptual ceramic pieces by Milan Pekař and experimental jewellery by leading Czech jewellery designers, including Eva Eisler, Adéla Fejtková, Blueberries and Zorya. All products on display are complemented with minimalist captions describing the stories and biographies of the individual designers. Furnished with monumental custom- made solid-wood tables, the store's space is symbolically dominated by Merkur, a large kinetic chandelier designed by Rony Plesl for Preciosa glassworks. The tables also feature smoke-gradient robust triangle-shaped table legs in a design by Michaela Tomišková from the renowned Dechem Studio. Minimalist glass objects designed by Dechem are also on display. The store also functions as a design gallery which schedules exhibitions by promising Czech designers.

Adam Štěch