Vlado Milunic - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Vlado Milunić (1941-2022) was a Czech architect of Croatian origin whose innovative architectural vision helped reshape Prague's post-communist urban landscape, most notably through his collaboration with Frank Gehry on the iconic Dancing House (Tančící dům). Born in Zagreb during World War II, Milunić's journey from Yugoslav émigré to celebrated Czech architect embodies the complex cultural intersections of late 20th-century Central Europe.
Arriving in Czechoslovakia as a child in 1956, Milunić studied architecture at the Czech Technical University in Prague, where he developed his distinctive approach blending functionalism with organic forms. His early career unfolded against the backdrop of communist Czechoslovakia, where he worked primarily on housing projects and renovations, including sensitive reconstructions of historic buildings in Prague's Vinohrady district. These early experiences would later influence his philosophy of integrating contemporary design with historical contexts.
The pivotal moment in Milunić's career came in the aftermath of the Velvet Revolution, when he conceived the idea for what would become the Dancing House. Originally dubbed "Fred and Ginger" after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, this deconstructivist building emerged from a unique collaboration with Frank Gehry and the support of then-president Václav Havel, who had lived next door. The structure, completed in 1996, represents not just an architectural achievement but a powerful symbol of Czech liberation from communist aesthetic constraints.
Beyond the Dancing House, Milunić's legacy includes numerous residential and institutional projects throughout Prague, such as the Hvězda housing complex and the Šípková secondary school. His work consistently challenged conventional architectural boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for urban context and human scale. Milunić's approach to architecture, combining bold innovation with sensitivity to historical surroundings, continues to influence contemporary Czech architecture and urban planning. His death in 2022 marked the end of an era in Prague's architectural evolution, yet his vision of architecture as a dialogue between past and present, between structure and movement, remains vitally relevant to ongoing discussions about urban development in post-socialist cities.