Interview ATELIER PANTOGRAPH – architects who love complicated buildings

About half of their projects are done in collaboration with foreign architects. This makes them different from other Slovak studios. They are most interested in complex and unique buildings. By cooperating with foreign studios, they have access to completely different know-how, which allows them to move forward faster both creatively and technologically.

We bring you an interview with architect Miro Hrušovský and Petr Kožušek from the PANTOGRAPH studio, who are behind the residential project PRI STUDNIČKE.

Ing. arch. Miroslav Hrušovský

Ing. arch. Peter Kožuško

What was your guiding principle when designing the project AT THE STUDENT? What was your philosophy?

We took over the project at some stage from the architectural studio GutGut, which is the author of architectural concept. It was already designed with elements of the industrial style, which we kept. We also kept the massing, but changed the layout and worked intensively with the balconies, which we enlarged to give their future inhabitants a really comfortable space. Thanks to the different layouts, in our opinion an excellent “flat mix” was created.

The architectural concept was therefore given by our predecessors, PANTOGRAPH fulfilled the project in terms of content and put in what we think people would want. We “displaced” the buildings in such a way that the best possible view could be had from each of them, in the ground floor, i.e. where one can touch it, the brick was left, from the second floor onwards we chose a plain plaster, which created a natural colour scheme with the brick. The plaster is the colour of white coffee, the brick is a shade darker.

Visualization of the interior of the apartment PRI STUDNIČKE Since the project is located within easy reach of the natural environment, we deliberately chose green shades for the windows and balconies. We were convinced that it would work in the proximity of that nature. The balconies are not banal, they carry a certain artistic quality in the form of the stylization of the grass. All windows are screened with fabric roller blinds, and we make extensive use of French windows, which evoke a sense of connection with the outdoors. French windows are very pleasant, and nowadays extremely popular, but not every residential project has them. In our project they are really abundant. Where there are no French windows, there are windows with reduced sills.

The project is currently located in an industrial zone. What is the future of the neighbourhood?

Our project PRI STUDNIČKE will be gradually integrated into the residential zone. In its vicinity will be created residential area with rich amenities. This will create, together with our project, an inner block, which will contain commercial premises and various other services. We are convinced that the forthcoming development project together with this location will significantly increase the value of the apartments at PRI STUDNIČKE.

Visualization of ESET CAMPUS And we haven’t even mentioned the biggest “gadget” in the vicinity of our project – the upcoming ESET CAMPUS research centre. The centre, which will be located on the site of the former Military Hospital, represents a major transformation of this location, which will bring together domestic technology companies and will also house generous

public spaces accessible to the community and the general public. ESET CAMPUS will be an important part of Bratislava’s development. For the future residents of the PRI STUDNIČKE project, this is a huge asset and benefit not only in the form of further expansion of amenities, but also in the form of an increase in housing value.

The Vydrica stream flows through the project. Did this pose any challenges for you in the design process? How did you deal with the foundations?

The volume follows the level of the stream. We have tried to make the most of the natural space and the nook with the stream that is located here. Each apartment building has a frontage to the Vydri River and a good composition creates beautiful internal public spaces. Visualization of flats PRI STUDNICKE As far as protection from groundwater is concerned, sealing walls are used, which are a common standard in all development projects in Bratislava.

What makes this project special for you? How do you think it will be special for its future inhabitants?

The relationship with the surrounding natural environment here is unique, you can’t copy that. Furthermore, the immediate proximity of the Iron Well. And at the same time the neighborhood business zone. Good connectivity to the highway. We believe that the uniqueness of the project lies in its location – it is located in a natural backdrop and at the same time on the border of the traffic artery. We are convinced that all these are the benefits that make the PRI STUDNIČKE project a perfect urban living.

Nowadays ecology and environment are taken care of, does the project use eco-friendly elements?

Yeah. It is excellently insulated, meeting the most modern requirements, such as triple glazing. Outside, there are charging stations for electric cars, and two buildings have green roofs, which has an extremely positive impact on the whole neighbourhood. There is no heat accumulation, there is a good microclimate thanks to the dense greenery, and the environment is cooled by the aforementioned Vydrica stream.

You are also collaborating with the Danish architectural studio BIG on the project of the above-mentioned ESET science campus, which will be located a short distance from the PRI STUDNIČKE residence.

Yes, we are working together and it’s been a huge and wonderful experience for us. We would like to mention at this point that Campus ESET will also be an asset for the urban housing in this neighbourhood, including the PRI STUDnička residence. The campus will include restaurants, cafes, a museum, cinemas, and an education centre. All of this, along with the campus and park, will be open to the general public. It will be such a microcity in the city. And the inhabitants of the PRI STUDNIČKE residence will be able to use this microcity to their heart’s content.

www.pantograph.sk