What Kruh does

Kruh z.s. is a Czech civic association (non-profit, zapsaný spolek) founded in 2001 in Prague that operates as a dedicated platform for architectural education and public engagement. The organization runs three signature programs: an ongoing lecture series (currently in its 26th cycle in 2026, themed on "Affordable Housing"), the nationwide Day of Architecture festival held annually across 60+ cities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia (16th edition in 2026), and the Film and Architecture Festival (15th edition in 2026). Supplementary offerings include architecture excursions abroad (to Switzerland, Scandinavia, etc.), five published collective volumes of architectural texts, hands-on workshops, school and kindergarten programs, and the Prostora Gallery. The organization is the only NGO operating professionally and continuously in the Czech architecture field, with 290+ lectures delivered since founding.

The organization's business model is a hybrid non-profit funding structure combining ticket revenue from lectures and festivals (100 CZK for adults, 80 CZK for students), sales of publications and merchandise, government grants (Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, Prague City Hall, State Cultural Fund, Czech Architecture Foundation), international funding programs (Norway Grants, EEA Grants, Pro Helvetia, Swiss-Czech Cooperation Programme), and corporate sponsorships from architecture-related firms (Forbo Flooring, Vitra, LAUFEN, mmcit^1) plus media partners (EARCH, Dolce Vita). Audience spans professional architects, architecture students, and the general public, with 200-800 attendees per lecture and festival reach extending to thousands across multiple cities during Day of Architecture. Distribution is multi-channel: in-person at venues like Kino Světozor, Kino 35, and CAMP IPR Prague; regionally across Czech Republic and Slovakia during festivals; and digitally through YouTube recordings, Facebook live streams, and email newsletters.

The organization's technology footprint is minimal, limited to standard web platforms (WordPress with WPML) for event management, with no proprietary AI, software products, or technology platform. Leadership is anchored by chairwoman and festival director Marcela Steinbachová, Ph.D. (Architect of the Year 2016), supported by a team of approximately 8 staff and a board of 10+ architecture professionals, theorists, and editors. Recognition includes the 2016 Czech Architecture Award for the Day of Architecture festival, the 2016 Architect of the Year award, and the 2003 Architect Magazine Prize.

Name

Kruh

Legal name

Kruh z.s.

Website

https://kruh.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kruh z.s. is a Prague-based non-profit founded in 2001 that delivers architecture education through a lecture series, the nationwide Day of Architecture festival across 60+ Czech and Slovak cities, and a film festival, serving architects, students, and the general public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architecture Education and Cultural Events

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technology Congresses (THAHAJAE)

Keywords

• Architecture education
• Cultural events
• Lecture series
• Architecture festivals
• Public lectures

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Tickets: Revenue from ticket sales for lectures and festival events. Entry fees are charged for lectures (100 CZK adults, 80 CZK students mentioned).
2. Publications and Merchandise: Sale of publications including collective volumes with architecture texts (Texty o architektuře series), catalogs, and merchandise.
3. Sponsorships and Grants: Financial support from government bodies (Ministry of Culture, Prague City Hall, State Cultural Fund), foundations (Nadace české architektury), and international programs (Norway Grants, EEA Grants, Swiss-Czech Cooperation Programme).
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnership funding from corporate sponsors including architecture firms, material suppliers, and media partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kruh (z.s.) is a Czech civic association founded in 2001 that organizes architecture-focused educational events for both professional and general audiences. Its core offerings include an ongoing lecture cycle featuring leading Czech and foreign architects, the nationwide Day of Architecture festival (Den architektury) held across 60+ cities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the Film and Architecture festival, international architecture excursions, publications of architectural texts, workshops for children and the public, and the Prostora Gallery.

Product overview

Kruh is a civic association (z. s.) founded in 2001 that organizes architecture-focused events and programs. The core offerings include an ongoing lecture series featuring international and Czech architects, the nationwide Day of Architecture Festival (Den architektury), the Film and Architecture Festival (Film a architektura), and architecture excursions abroad. Supplementary programs include educational workshops for children and schools, public workshops, and Prostora Gallery. Kruh also publishes collective volumes of architectural texts. The organization serves both professional audiences (architects, students) and the general public, with activities spanning across the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Den architektury: Day of Architecture festival - nationwide festival organized across Czech Republic and Slovakia featuring guided tours, workshops, screenings, discussions, installations, boat trips, and cycling tours with architects and theorists.
• Film a architektura

Products and services

• Přednáškový cyklus (Lecture Series) Ongoing cycle of lectures on architecture featuring leading Czech and foreign architects and architecture critics, attracting approximately 200-800 visitors per lecture at partner venues in Prague.
• Den architektury (Day of Architecture Festival) Nationwide architecture festival held across the Czech Republic and Slovakia featuring walks, workshops, screenings, discussions, installations, boat rides, and guided tours with architects and theorists.
• Film a architektura (Film and Architecture Festival) International film festival showcasing films about architecture, design, and art, presented in Prague, Brno, and approximately 24 other cities.
• Architektonické exkurze (Architecture Excursions) Organized excursions to contemporary architectural realizations abroad, including destinations such as Switzerland and Scandinavia, for architecture students and enthusiasts.
• Publikace (Publications) Published collective volumes with texts on architecture, including the 'Texty o architektuře' series and exhibition catalogs.
• Zážitkový workshop (Experience Workshop) Hands-on workshops designed for children, parents, and educators to explore architecture creatively.
• Programy pro školy a školky (Programs for Schools and Kindergartens) Educational programs for schools and kindergartens conducted with architects.
• Prostora Gallery Gallery space operated by Kruh for exhibitions and cultural events.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Česká komora architektů (Czech Chamber of Architects)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional chamber providing institutional support and patronage for Kruh's activities and events.
• ETH Zurich Faculty of ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss technical university partnership for Swiss-Czech Inspirations project (2014-2015) including lectures, workshops, excursions, and publication. Deep collaboration on educational content.
• Forbo FlooringmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain partner of lecture series providing financial and marketing support.
• mmcité1 a.s.majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain partner of lecture series and events.
• VitramajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDesign partner providing design expertise and support for Kruh's visual identity and events.
• LAUFENmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain partner of the spring part of the lecture cycle.
• EARCHmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain media partner providing editorial and promotional coverage for lectures and festivals.
• Dolce VitamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain media partner for lectures providing lifestyle magazine coverage.
• Institut plánování a rozvoje hl. m. Prahy (IPR Praha)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrague Institute of Planning and Development provides venue (CAMP) and co-organizes events and lectures on urban planning topics.
• Francouzský Institut v Praze (French Institute Prague)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institute supporting French-Czech architectural exchange programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Storefront for Art and Architecture: NYC nonprofit gallery and platform for experimental architecture and design, running exhibitions, talks, and publications. Comparable to Kruh's Prostora Gallery and lecture programming in scale and mission.
• Architekturzentrum Wien (Az W): Austrian architecture center running exhibitions, lectures, and public programs on contemporary architecture. Direct comparable to Kruh as a neighboring-Central-European nonprofit promoting architecture discourse to professionals and the public.
• Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM): German architecture museum in Frankfurt running exhibitions, lecture series, and educational events. Direct peer in architecture-focused public programming and cultural institution model.
• Het Nieuwe Instituut: Dutch national museum and institute for architecture, design, and digital culture. Operates exhibitions, lectures, and research programs with similar peer audiences and institutional funding mix.
• Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA): Research institution and museum that operates exhibitions, lectures, and publications on architecture. Comparable funded model with curated public programming on architectural thought leadership.
• Open House Worldwide: Global network organizing Open House events where buildings open to the public, including architecture tours and educational programming. Directly comparable to Kruh's Day of Architecture festival in concept and execution.
• The Architecture Foundation (London): UK nonprofit that runs public programs, lectures, and projects connecting architecture with a wider audience. Closely mirrors Kruh's mission of bridging professional and lay audiences through accessible programming.

Emerging players

• Akademie Schloss Solitude: International artist and architect residency program running lectures, exhibitions, and public events. Comparable in programming format and international exchange model supported by public funding.

Regional players

• Muzeum Architektury (Architecture Museum) Wrocław: Polish architecture museum in Wrocław focused on documenting and promoting architecture. Regional peer in Central European architecture education and cultural programming with similar institutional grant model.
• Muzeum Prahy (Museum of Prague): Prague-based municipal museum organizing exhibitions and cultural programming on Prague's built environment. Local peer in public architecture/cultural programming with overlapping municipal funding sources.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIyl_s995orvt-P0HqXSFmQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/KRUH-222557727754321
• Instagraminstagram.com/kruh_cz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kruh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kruh