Archiprix International 2001
Slovenska technicka univerzita, Fakulta architektury - Bratislava, Slovakia
Stanislav Sykora
Tutors: Assist. Prof. Marius Zitnansky
The Docks RevitalizationThe old Bratislava Port with its docks and basins served as a place for mending and discharging the ships and as a strong shield against the river ice. In the case that there was not enough water in the Danube, the ships could use it as convenient moorings. It was renamed in 1921 and became the Winter Port. Its present face is almost identical with that from the past century. Due to many various factors, the original function of the port has been taken over by the newly built moorings located downstream on the river Danube.To make the image of the Winter Port complete, it is useful to mention that from the north-west it is bordered by Prístavná Street, from the west side by the just being projected bridge - the Ko_ická, by the highway bridge from the east and from the south-west the place is being surrounded by the river Danube itself. By its character and the location, the port creates a natural border between the city and its industrial zones. It is situated on an imaginary boundary, because Bratislava does not have the perspective of widening the city area behind the highway bridge - not now, neither in the near future.Communication and the city - in their mutual relationship - are the two key points that nowadays definitely determine the coordinations of all the reflections about the civilisation development and its impact on the creation of the modern residential structures of the industrialised world.The Latin expression munus means duty, office, district and the word derived from this is communis and it expresses involvement and co-effectiveness. In the basis of the word com-municare - to do, to direct something together in community, to give something mutually, there is hidden the component of mutuality of two or more subjects existing in mutual relationship.In the present situation the usual pattern is like that that the town and the port exist next to each other as two independent entities. Despite their mutual physical affinity, the communication in both its main aspects stagnates. There is a lack of convenient infrastructure that would enable an interconnection of the two localities, we miss the adequate use of the space that lost its original function.The possibility of swiftly joining the city structure, affinity to the city centre and its historical body, the possibility of a more intensive transport connection, the attractive presence of the water surface - these all designate the Winter Port to become an attractive locality. Revitalisation of this area is successfully accessible by changing the original character of the industrial zone to a socially attractive area suitable for relax that could be added some residential facilities.The purpose of the project is to create a conception of an organic complex that would accumulate a number of various activities. The solution could be modelling a culturally social centre, the core of which would be an experimental theatre completed with some other equal functions like a gallery, bar, restaurant etc. The sport and other leisure - time activities may be developed in the yachting and the rowing clubs.The building of the culturally - social centre itself is projected to appear in the most attractive part of the Winter Port - on the peninsula between the two basins. The main motive of the central buildings complex is the most characteristic sign of the water element - the waves. From the design point of view my primary purpose was to create a symbol that would, similarly like the Bratislava castle, contribute to the uniqueness of the locality at the international water route.The individual parallel waves of the building are connected with vertical board matters in which the service equipment is placed. Such a solution provides the complex with adequate variability and flexibility.