KCAP

Culture district Mixed-use Neighbourhood

A new cultural destination and lively mixed-use neighbourhood for the city of Bratislava

KCAP has designed a new cultural district for Bratislava, Slovakia; Trnavské mýto will house a state-of-the-art concert and congress venue and the area will be transformed into an attractive open and car-free neighbourhood, including a series of green and public areas that welcome residents and visitors.

Trnavské Mýto is a 97.000 m2 district of Bratislava expected to undergo a fundamental change in the coming years. As winners of the international architectural competition held by site developer...

Client
  • Immocap Group, a.s.
Year
  • 2018 - Ongoing
Status
  • Ongoing
Program
  • 3,6 ha Inner-city redevelopment for a multifunctional cultural centre with 97.000 m2 for culture, housing, offices and commercial functions, including an 11.500 m2 historic building transformation and expansion for a public multifunctional concert and conference hall and an 8.300 m2 integrated hotel
Disciplines
  • Architecture
  • Urban Design
  • Landscape Architecture
Credits
  • Visualisations: Playtime
Collaborators
  • Architect: CITYFÖRSTER
  • Local architect: Pantograph
  • Theatre consulting company: Charcoalblue
Publications

  • Trnavské mýto is a vital transport junction and crossroad in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, in the Nové Mesto district. The area includes a square, home to the Trade Union House on the north side and a market hall on the south. The former congress centre of the communist regime has fallen into disrepair for decades so neither the building nor the adjacent public space did meet current quality and safety requirements.

    The cultural venue New Istropolis is conceived as a seamless extension of the city, an open ‘living room’ for all Bratislava citizens, well connected to the neighbourhood. The transparent façade concept and the public plinth promote the dialogue between inside and outside with various cafés and bars on the ground floor and the balconies, inviting the passers-by to enter. At the same time, the events and cultural activities can spill out to the city. The foyer space welcomes the visitors with a multi-layered interior, animated by different platforms with multiple options of areas, like bars, lounges, and impromptu performance spots. The rich collection of art, materials, and craftsmanship of the former Istropolis will be preserved and will find a second lease of life in the new building.

    New Istropolis takes part to Trnavske Myto, a new urban centrality for Bratislava. The location is very well connected with the city with the future intercity train station and the facility of metro station, bus and tram. We create a car free public area with new pedestrian connections in order to give a solution to the fragmentation of the surrounding neighborhoods.

  • The area will facilitate a location for state-of-the-art, concerts, and conferences and will be turned into a modern open neighbourhood. The new multifunctional hall, designed by Charcoalblue, with a capacity of 3.000 seating places and 5.000 standing places gives the opportunity to host multiple events simultaneously. 

    The project is more then a concert hall. It has the ambition to address this important part of the city, that has been neglected for too long time, bringing new life in it. We achieve this by creating a new 'creative district': a lively and artistic area to live, work and visit with a great range of amenities such as cafés, restaurants, workshop spaces, a daycare and an hotel.

  • The public (event) square is designed as a land-art: a topographic square with a sculptural character. The urban square is the junction point between the public square and the inner courtyards, characterised by a sequence of podiums that display the city life. The inner courtyards are clearly defined intimate gardens with lush vegetation that share the space with interactive, playful sculptures. A continuous, paved carpet with integrated lighting in the floor, unifies the different surfaces and buildings, creating a cohesive and recognisable pedestrian area.

    There a clear hierarchy that rules a gradient from active and public spaces (public square), to compact and urban (urban square), to intimate and communal functions (courtyards). Each space will be given a completely different spatial and programmatic character to facilitate and trigger the variety of urban life.

    The circular use of materials, such as the marble facade of the existing Istropolis hall and the tropical timber cladding, makes for a more sustainable building and has materiality rooted in its location. The ambition is to receive the new Slovakian energy standard A0 and LEED Certificate for the office buildings.

  • The plan fosters the concept of a car-free and green creative quarter with particular attention to pedestrians and cyclists, including bike storage. Envisioned is a district where art, culture, and creativity will become a unique identity and form an integral part of everyday life. The project wants to create an inspiring meeting place of different art forms and styles, strengthened by outstanding art pieces that make a festive atmosphere for this new open room for the city, where culture and daily life come together.

    Art, culture and creativity form integral part of a new neighbourhood. The different public spaces of the site give space for inspiration of the artists to new forms and styles. The existing artworks will be maintained; permanent and temporary exhibitions will be combined together.

    Trees, shrubs and perennials are conceived as part of the exhibition. It is possible to enjoy the view of a wide variety of plants and trees species, that change through each season. A new urban ecology is established by introducing climate proof local species, that enlarge the biodiversity and that help to create microclimates.

    New Istropolis is an important public venue for the city and becomes the landmark for a whole new creative district with an attractive public space and bespoke architecture.
    Jeroen Dirckx, Partner KCAP

Gallery

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