CORA – The Centre for the Preservation of Architecture

CORA is a registered, non-profit independent organization based in the Czech Republic. CORA’s mission is to promote preservation and adaptive re-use of significant buildings using Prague’s extraordinary range of architectural resources, and its critical needs, as a living laboratory. Although much of Prague’s oldest architecture has been protected and restored, many invaluable historic buildings are still in danger of being irreparably damaged or even demolished.

The greatest threats to these buildings are:

• Lack of public awareness and concern for their preservation
• Economic pressures to transform the buildings
• Inadequate historic preservation regulations and incentives
• Ignorance of appropriate restoration techniques

CORA was founded in 1994 by a group of architects, preservationists and enthusiasts in order to address a number of specific needs and concerns. The establishment of CORA has been acclaimed by experts and organizations involved in preservation in the Czech Republic, Great Britain and the USA.

The members of the organizing committee of CORA are:

Mathilda, Countess Nostitz, Patron of CORA
Daniel Špička, architect, Director of CORA
Mikuláš Hulec, architect and professor, assistant-director of CORA
Ivan P. Muchka, art historian, Czech Academy of Sciences
Zdeněk Lukeš, architect and writer, Office of the President of the Czech Republic
Jiří Plos, philosopher and lawyer, president of Chamber of Czech Architects
Jiří Horský, journalist, editor-in-chief of „ Architekt“
Carl W.Schmidt, preservationist, US diplomat, ret.
Zdeněk Drábek, economist, banker and adviser, WTO, Geneva

Apart from the above, the following experts have been involved with CORA:

Ester Havlová, architectural photographer
Petr Lorenc, IT expert
Petr Mikolášek, architect
M. Koukolová, building engineer
Vit Lukas, architect
Jiří Pošmourný, architect and university teacher
Lajla Valentová, restorer of the National Gallery
Jiří Bláha, restorer and art historian

Notes on the CORA Mission

First-class and successful preservation of architectural monuments mainly depends on:

• Detailed study and documentation
• Understanding and implementing traditional building crafts as well as modern restoration methods
• The highest possible ethical standards and professionalism of the State preservationists and architects involved.

At present, CORA has two leading projects:

• The Documentation and restoration of Historical Castle Theatres in Bohemia and Moravia.
• The Documentation and Restoration of Baroque Organs in the Czech Lands.