Arkitektnytt

In his late teens, newly enrolled student at UMPRUM, the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague, the later on architect Martin Roubík made a seal stating Martin Roubík – 100% artist. A few years later, in the early 70s, outspokenly uncomfortable with CSR authorities, a hastily arranged marriage whisked Martin off to Oslo, where his studies at The Oslo School of Architecture literally had him turning the Oslo Town Hall upside-down. Co-founder of Snohetta Architecture & Landscape, The Gallery ROM for Architecture, and – with fellow photographer Jiří Havran – the photo studio ARKFO, in the 80s Martin was a key figure in creating the foundation for what was to become a flourishing international scene of architecture in Oslo. Whirling in from abroad visitors would find Martin´s doors wide-open, more often than not stumbling in on one of the innumerable ad hoc (dis-) organized wining & dining parties, that Martin always found excuses to invite to inventing individual, non-negotiable reasons to celebrate on request. Since the concept of sharing was obviously immanent in Martin, on his return to CZ in the late 90s his hospitality made Prague an open and welcoming house to well-known’s, as well as un-known’s. What belonged to Martin, belonged to you – quite a charmer when he wanted to, over the years Martin´s logic on the vice versa no doubt surprised a few.

Profoundly engaged in the interests of his fellow human beings but persistently disrespectful of institutions, wherever he went Martin left a bulldozer´s track of cracks and openings for fresh air to get in. An astonishingly generous person, his contempt for this world´s hypocrites, conformists and smooth operators knew no boundaries at all. Reacting fiercely allergic to the practice of hollow pleasantries, Martin made a difference to everyone he met: Martin mattered – and he made sure, you did to.

Requiring the ultimate of everyone, he kept expecting even more of himself. A sucker for life – as always occupying the position of the opponent – plans were abundant, when on Sept. 9th Martin Roubík died, 100% architect. His lifespan measured not in years, but intensity, Martin Roubík lived longer than most of us will.

Knowing that resting in peace fits Martin like roller-skates a dove, we wish him a good journey to wherever he is going to. Considering ourselves privileged to have had our lives collide with Martin´s on a regular basis, our thoughts go to those he loved most, Míla and Ellen in Oslo, and Regína and Franta in Prague.