08/07/2025
With sadness, we announce the passing of Sir Brian Clarke, a great friend and tireless supporter of Jan Kaplický and his visionary work. Brian and Jan’s friendship began in London's vibrant architectural circles in the late 1970s and evolved into a deep relationship built on mutual admiration for authentic imagination, poetic beauty, and uncompromising vision.
Brian saw in Jan an irresistible combination of romantic poetry and eccentric intensity—qualities that led him to regard Jan as one of the greatest and most influential architects of the century. Over decades of friendship, countless conversations, collaborations, and passionate discussions, Brian championed Jan's visionary modernism and consistently affirmed his historical significance in architecture.
Brian valued Jan’s groundbreaking ideas, from the organic forms that anticipated iconic buildings. He admired Jan's determination, relentless pursuit of beauty, and poetic expression—qualities Brian considered defining characteristics of a true artist.
Today, as we remember Brian Clarke's life, we honor his exceptional support, passionate advocacy, and profound belief in Jan Kaplický’s lasting legacy. Brian’s eloquent and sincere voice remains an enduring testament to friendship, creativity, and the power of visionary minds. He will be deeply missed. Both friends lived the same number of years on this earth, symbolically underscoring their profound bond.
