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'''Dr. Ing. arch. Jaroslav Otruba'''(11 November 1916 – 5 February 2007) was a Czech architect, urban planner, designer and artist.

The son of a cabinetmaker, Otruba was born in Olomouc, Moravia, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He lived during particularly turbulent periods of Czech Republic’s modern history: at the height of World War I, before the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918; under Nazi occupation, from 1939, until the end of World War II in 1945; and under the rule of an authoritarian Communist government, from 1948 to 1989. In spite of the continuous national and political turmoil, Otruba remained committed to a fundamental belief in democratic ideals. Although he considered it to be a secondary occupation, Otruba utilized art as an outlet for his passions, and a reprieve from the political dangers that surrounded him. He regarded his art to be a superior therapeutic alternative to actually visiting a psychiatrist.

Otruba’s most prolific work, particularly in architecture, was produced during the latter part of the 20th century. As a result, he made a prominent impact on the urban design and planning of Prague, and the rest of Czech Republic – not only by virtue of his own designs, but through his influence on his numerous protégés. He is best known for his contributions toward the creation, design, and development of the Prague Metro system.

Education
After graduating from technical school, he began studying at the University of Architecture and Civil Engineering in Prague. His mentors included Prof. Antonin Mendl, under whom Otruba studied Architecture; Prof. Alois Mikuskovic, studying Town Planning and Landscaping; and Prof. Oldrich Blazicek, who directed his courses on Drawing and Painting. The Nazis closed all universities in 1939, delaying Otruba’s graduation until June 1945, which he completed with Honors.

In August 1945, Otruba was hired by the University as an Assistant Professor, a position that permitted him to participate in a vast study of surgical hospital departments for his dissertation. During this period, he helped create the Department of Medical Architecture at the University. In 1953, he received his Doctorate in Architecture. From 1956 to 1959 he finished a second dissertation, on maternity wards; however, this was never accepted.

Career and Legacy
In appreciation of Otruba’s teaching career Jiri Siegel, an architect and engineer who counted himself among Otruba’s many students, wrote that, “[Otruba] was respected for his positive attitude, professional assurance, success and maximum tact” while working with his students, many of whom kept in touch long after their studies were completed. However, because of the pressure for political (read: Communist) conformity among the faculty of the University, Otruba felt compelled to resign his teaching post in 1960. He subsequently took a job at the State Department of Transportation, spending ten years as a leading designer within the department.

In 1970 Otruba was transferred to Metroproject, a new department tasked with building the massive Prague public transportation system. As the leading architect and designer, he oversaw the creation of the A and C lines of the Prague Metro. Otruba is the designer of the distinctive aluminum tiles that can be found throughout the Metro A line. The tiles, whilst beautifying the stations, additionally symbolize a confluence of eras: evoking the storied history of Czech Republic with a simple metal façade; while simultaneously appearing thoroughly modern, celebrating the revolutionary new means of transportation.

Work from Otruba’s early architectural career includes the design and realization of railroad stations in Prostejov, Redkovice and Pribyslav, from 1947 – 1952. The implementation of his interesting design for a SUDOP administrative building in Zizkov, and a business complex at IPS Prague-Vrsovice, both in 1965.

Competitions
Dr. Otruba participated in many national and international design and architecture competitions. Among the prestigious accolades was a fifth place in an international competition of an OSN complex in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1957. He was the winner of the “Vridelni Kolonady” architectural competition, taking place in Karlovy Vary in 1961; as well as the architectural competition for Frantiskovy Lazne in 1966. In collaboration with architect Sramek, Otruba won first place in an architectural competition to design a dispatcher building at the Main Railroad Station in Prague in 1970.

The Artist
Otruba’s secondary (and often preferable) profession was the time he spent with his paintbrushes and canvas. His painting evolved in different styles. The art draws from the days of heavy political pressure in the early 1950s. Otruba’s early paintings reflect abstract configurations of communication, antennas and various objects from outer space. As he became further immersed in the world of architecture, Otruba’s paintings often portrayed architectural objects, such as Gothic cathedrals and imaginary abstract cities. After his trip to USA, his paintings consist of countless variations of skyscrapers and cities full of color, often in congruence with his earlier European cities, and historical styles.

In the 1990s he experiented with abstract painting with more concentration on implementation of lines and colors, movement of lines and circles, sometimes interpreting a city within a dramatic storm. In 2000 he started to paint different cities and small towns from old maps. In 2001 an illness prevented him from continuing with his passion to paint. Otruba did not want to exhibit his dream world, or get paid for his art; thus, it has been impossible for his art to be fully appreciated by the public. He had only one exhibition at Motol Hospital in 1983. His paintings are in the private collections of his friends in Europe, USA and Australia. After his death in 2007 his wife sold one of his painting in an art auction with Gallery Kodl in 2009.