Architectural Institute in Prague (ARCHIP) is a brand new private international school of architecture with instruction in English. ARCHIP offers a bachelor study programme in Architecture; with standard length of full time study 3 years.
The school situated in the heart of Europe offers instruction only in the English language and is truly international, with an emphasis on international students and faculty. The size and focus of the school suitably complements existing institutions providing architectural education in the Czech Republic, which makes for a broader choice of options for students interested in studying architecture.
ARCHIP benefits from being situated in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, and at the same time the country’s largest city. The location affords studying and living in an environment whose architecture and urbanism have evolved for a thousand years; from Romanesque architecture to modern and contemporary buildings. Prague is reputed to be one of the most magnificent cities in the world, with a historical town centre that has been on UNESCO’s list of the world’s cultural heritage since 1992.
The premises of ARCHIP will be in Veletržní palác in Prague 7 Holešovice, that is still regarded as an accomplished example of Modernist architecture and has been admired by generations of architects and artists. Being in the Veletržní palace – a listed heritage building – is ideal for a school of arts.
The programme of the school is based in studio instruction; other professional courses should relate to it and complement it. Lectures in theory combine with practice-oriented seminars, excursions and workshops – practical instruction is assigned a great weight in the study programme.
ARCHIP puts students in contact with the practice and helps them understand architecture in its context. The instruction takes place in Prague and in other parts of the Czech Republic. The size of the school (60 students per year) allows a close contact between the faculty and the students during instruction, tutoring and the final evaluation of student works – it is essential for the atmosphere of open communication and creative collaboration at the school.
ARCHIP is a platform for architecture in general, with its own information, promotion and publication activities. It has its own exhibition space and a professional reference library with a reading room with magazines; it also would like to organise lifelong learning courses and hosts lectures of leading local and international architects. Excursions to visit outstanding local and international architecture is organised throughout the year.
The school keeps in close contact with the professional and lay community, and with other local and international institutions in the field.
The plan to start a new school of architecture in Prague was born in 2005 in a group of people around the architect Martin Roubík (1949–2008).