Dalibor Vesely Fund

The Dalibor Vesely Fund

Dalibor Vesely taught in the Department of Architecture from 1979 to 2004.  During that time, he lectured to undergraduates, taught a Diploma Studio and, with Joseph Rykwert, founded the graduate Programme in the History and Philosophy of Architecture.  This exchange between design – always oriented to the city – history and philosophy was oriented around the question of what architecture contributed to one's culture.  It created an inspiring context for understanding the nature of architecture, initially within the speculative possibilities developed around dialogue and collaboration within the University. Subsequently ideas and practices were cultivated internationally in diverse ways by numerous architects, teachers and several heads of architecture schools.

Accordingly the Cambridge Department of Architecture is establishing a fund in Dalibor's name to promote this spirit of inquiry.  In the first instance this will take the form of the Dalibor Vesely Prize, which shall be awarded to the post-graduate student of the Department of Architecture whose work best exemplifies the ethos of Dalibor's teaching at Cambridge.  Dalibor expresses this ethos in his Architecture in the Age of Divided Representation (MIT, 2004) in terms of "the poetic paradigm...still alive in the creative conditions and possibilities of practical life...[Praxis] belongs to the fundamental constitution of human beings and their situation in the world" (p. 373).  

The prize may be awarded for written or design work, or their combination.  The award will be made annually by the MPhil examiners. It may be withheld if, in the opinion of the judging committee, the conditions of the award are not met. The Fund itself is managed by a committee agreed by the Department of Architecture and the Vesely family.

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Individuals or groups wishing to contribute to the Dalibor Vesely Fund may do this through the University’s Philanthropy for Cambridge website. Donations may be made once or on an annual basis. Gift Aid declarations will be available.

Donate here.

For full details and conference papers from the Dalibor Vesely Memorial Conference click here.