“We are not just proposing a new school, but a campus that combines the historic identity of the site with new content and a wide range of uses. Our goal is to create an open campus that serves not only the students but also the entire local community,” explains Ján Antal, Managing Partner of Perspektiv Studio.
Sustainability and a return to nature
The key design principle, which is also incorporated into the design of the areas, the choice of materials and the character of the vegetation, is the efficient management of rainwater, with an emphasis on maximising infiltration and water retention directly in the area. The proposed measures – vegetated roofs, semi-permeable surfaces and retention basins – support the natural water regime, improve the microclimate and alleviate the burden on the sewerage system by reusing rainwater. The campus will also be equipped with photovoltaic panels and heat pumps. This comprehensive approach reduces the ecological footprint of the entire campus and ensures the sustainable use of natural resources.
Special attention is paid to the Vydrica River, which runs through the area. Within the framework of the project, the riverbed will be reclaimed and made accessible, which will increase the biodiversity of the site and create space for rest and recreation. New trees will also be planted within the campus, which will separate the entire campus from the surrounding roads with a green filter and provide plenty of shade during the summer months. This measure will contribute to the revitalisation of the wider Mlynská dolina area, which will become an attractive place for the local community and visitors to the city thanks to the campus.
Open campus for all
The new campus has the ambition to become a cultural and educational centre for more than 450 students. The campus is designed as a public space that serves the needs of the school in the morning and is open to the general public in the afternoon. The campus will include several multifunctional sports facilities with a large gymnasium, an Art House for cultural and educational activities as well as places to sit and relax. The wide range of diverse activities is intended to attract as many future users as possible and to breathe new life and energy into the place.
“The campus is designed so that its use responds dynamically to the needs during the day. In the morning it is used only for students, but in the afternoon it opens up to the community and offers space for leisure activities. In doing so, the safety of students will be ensured by a clearly defined perimeter that can be closed off during classes if necessary,” Antal adds.
The separate Art House building, created by the conversion of a historic factory hall, combines the old with the new within the complex. The historic façade will be preserved, while the interior spaces will be adapted for teaching, art and concerts with exhibitions. Among other things, it will also offer a photo chamber, 3D printers, art workshops and a multifunctional hall. This space has the ambition to become a centre of creativity and development not only for the students of the school, but also for the people of Bratislava.
“A key element of the design is also the main axis that runs through the entire campus, connecting the school square with the Design Factory, which is already located on the site, and at the same time creating a natural connection between the campus and the surrounding area. This realization is not only a response to today’s educational challenges, but also a symbol of innovation and respect for Patrónka’s historical heritage,” said Ján Antal, Managing Partner of Perspektiv architectural studio.
Connecting history, culture and architecture
The Perspective emphasises respect for the historical heritage of the area. The iconic facade of the Art House factory hall will be restored to preserve the authentic image of the site, while new architectural elements will bring a modern expression to the space. A central axis connects the northern part of the site, where the school is located, with the communal areas to the south, and ensures the permeability of the area, which was previously divided by fences and height differences.
Part of the broader project is also the placement of a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust designed by the academic painter Milan Pagac, which is under the responsibility of the Bratislava Municipality. The revitalised site thus combines education, history and culture into a unique holistic vision.
Author team
- Architecture by Ján Antal, Martin Křivánek, Oksana Džabarjan, Robin Muller, Monika Škardová
- Landscape: Kristýna Stará, Libuša Rybanská
- Interior by Martin Stára, Nikol Zelmanová, Aneta Rendlová
- Visualization by Ján Martin Púčík, Peter Horváth
