Miroslav Navatril Biography
Miroslav Navrátil, born in 1913 in Boršice, Moravia, near Zlín, was an internationally renowned designer and architect. From a young age, he demonstrated a great passion for design and art, enrolling in a furniture finishing school in Valašské Meziříčí in 1927. Subsequently, he continued his studies at the Czech State Industrial School in Brno, where he graduated in 1935.
During his time studying in Brno, Navrátil also took history courses at Masaryk University. This multidisciplinary training profoundly influenced his approach to design, leading him to develop innovative projects that combined aesthetic and functional elements.
In the 1950s, Navrátil became a member of the State Design Studio for the Development of the Furniture Industry in Brno. In this role, he provided the Czechoslovakian furniture industry with high-quality sketches and designs. His attention was mainly focused on the design of armchairs and chairs, in which he experimented with the use of new materials and technologies.
His most recognized work came in 1959 with the creation of the famous "Vertex Chair". This revolutionary chair, made of fiberglass and synthetic resin produced by the Hradec Králové company Vertex, features a wraparound seat with a distinctive elliptical hole between the backrest and the seat. Over the years, the chair has been produced in different shapes, colors and with different bases. Navrátil has also developed a variant with armrests.
The design of the Vertex chair was highly praised and had a significant impact on the furniture industry. It was used by ČKD Tatra starting in 1964 for the interiors of the famous newly developed Tatra T3 trams. Thanks to this new solution, it was possible to achieve a significant reduction in the weight of the seats, thus meeting the required comfort and efficiency needs.
In addition to his work in the furniture industry, Navrátil has also developed other notable projects. For example, he was the architect responsible for designing the library in the house of Miroslav Zikmund, one of the most famous writers in the Czech Republic.
Navrátil has received numerous awards and recognition for his projects. A significant example is the prize obtained at Expo 58 in Brussels for his "Vertex" project, as well as the Jury Prize at the Milan Triennale in 1960 for the design of his "TV Armchair".
His innovative vision and ability to combine aesthetics and functionality made Navrátil one of the most influential designers of his time. His work is still considered a point of reference today in the field of industrial design and interior architecture.
