Alois Dryák

Alois Dryák was considered to be one of the most influential Czech architects and was a professor of ornamental design. He devoted himself to the widespread Art Nouveau used in Prague. Dryák built the Grand Hotel Europa on Wenceslas Square, today one of the historical hotels in Prague and a prime example of the Art Nouveau style. He also designed the ornate pedestal of the equestrian statue of Saint Wenceslas at the same place.Dryák first studied at the School of Applied Arts and then at the Technical University in Prague. In 1903 he co-founded an architectural office, which he continued to operate on his own after World War I. After the war, modern influences flowed into his work approaching Art Deco.

Dryák’s first plans for the Strahov Stadium dated back to 1926. He won a competition for expansion and modernization of the stadium in 1930 with a more neo-classical design. After his death in 1932, the design of the second-place office of Ferdinand Balcárek and Karel Kopp was realized, which was more functionalist in style.