Multifunctional residental complex - Bratislava Downtown

Faculty of Architecture and Design STU in Bratislava

Project idea

The task of the diploma thesis was to design a multifunctional residential complex in Bratislava at the corner of Košická and Prístavná streets. On the designed plot there is a former production plant Ryba, which is intended for demolition. The plot is located on the Danube riverbank on the border of the winter harbour and downtown. Bratislava's downtown (also referred to as Bratislava's new centre or simply as Bratislava's (new) skyscraper district, which will largely consist of residential and office
high-rise buildings will be connected to the historically significant Winter Harbour. The winter harbour, which was once one of the most important and largest harbours in Europe, is currently used as a transhipment port and serves as a wintering harbour for vessels. Its function is slowly declining and it is therefore worth considering its connection with the existing promenade at the Eurovea shopping centre and its direct connection with the water area. There are several listed buildings in the area of the winter harbour, such as the functionalist boatmen's house in the shape of a steamer, the boat lift from the 1940s on which the the last preserved historical tugboat Šturec, or the ship's workshop, which with its reinforced concrete frame construction belongs to the examples of contemporary industrial architecture of the mid-20th century.
These National Historic Landmarks would leave a perfect historical legacy of Winter Harbor's past
while helping to blend the industrial style with the modern architecture of downtown.
The proposed complex will consist of a pair of high-rise residential buildings, one of which will serve as a high-rise landmark to represent the connection between these disparate areas and
architectural styles. In addition to the housing, the complex will include an office component that
separates the active ground floor from the residential towers with a green community roof.
The active ground floor with a wide range of amenities will be in direct connection to the public space. This public space will serve as the main focal point connecting all pedestrian axes, the tram stop and the train terminal, creating the perfect place for residents and visitors to the city.

Project description

The planned multifunctional residential complex is located on the corner of the busy
intersection of Prístavná and Košická streets. It is located on a narrow elongated plot of
irregular shape. A pair of residential towers is connected by an active ground floor, which is partitioned across. The opening is over two storeys high and wide according to the support system and over a width of 4 modules x 8100mm. This spacious opening with its dimensions creates a full pedestrian crossing, and facilitates a direct connection to the train terminal and the public space with the promenade. The omission of the mass in case of inclement weather creates a sheltered area with seating and greenery for public transport users, while offering a pleasant view of the water surface of the harbour. The corners of the parterre are bevelled to eliminate awkward collision points for pedestrians. The corner is proposed to be rentable for a café due to its excellent position on the pedestrian axis from Mlynské Nivy. From the west side in direct following the tram stop, there are entrances to the administrative part, which is located over three floors between the ground floor and the high-rise buildings.
The roof of the administration building consists of community spaces with leisure activities and greenery for the residents of the complex. From the west side of the busy road on
Kosicka Street, the supply of the building with waste management is designed so as not to interfere with the public spaces for residents and visitors to the area.
The parking is designed as underground parking to a height of 4 underground floors and has a total number of up to 732 parking spaces. The residential tower accentuates its corner
position at the intersection of Košická and Prístavná streets and thus creates a
representative landmark of the area. With its height of up to 195.5 m it would be the tallest high-rise building not only in Bratislava but also in the whole territory of Slovakia. At a height of approximately 100m, four floors of flats are omitted in order to eliminate the adverse
effects of wind on the structure of the building.
In this part only the communication core passes through and the building structure is
reinforced here. On the lower and uppermost floors of the towers are located the technical floors of the buildings, which ensure the functioning of the building. In the higher tower on the last 3 residential floors there are superior apartments.
The roofs of the buildings form community spaces with greenery that are lined around the
perimeter with a structure of durable safety glass, creating safe movement on the roof.
The 9.5m high structure eliminates the unpleasant effects of wind for roof users and at the same time provides a panoramic view of the whole Bratislava.
The façade of the building is designed to leave a reference to the industrial style originating from the harbour but at the same time to give the impression of a modern architectural style representing modern downtown. The façade cladding in both transverse and longitudinal is a modern aluminium façade system.

Technical information

Due to the high level of groundwater in the vicinity of the Danube, the foundation structures are designed as a watertight reinforced concrete structure in combination with a foundation slab without dilatation supported by piles. The slab is divided on the basis of the expansion units of the upper structure by a pair of supporting columns. The location of the piles under the load-bearing parts of the building takes into account the height level of the individual parts of the building as well as the geological conditions. The load-bearing system of the high-rise
buildings is formed by reinforced concrete columns using 8100 mm and 7500 mm modules
respectively and stiffening reinforced concrete communication cores. Ceiling slabs are
reinforced concrete 250-400mm thick as required. In the technical floors, the side walls are
horizontal structures (outriggers) are placed on the side walls, which are connected to the load-bearing communication core. These structures provide greater stability and wind
resistance to the building and other undesirable influences on the structure.

Documentation

Show PDF 1