In the age of social media, it is important to create opportunities for in-person contact with artists. Whether by means of meeting in person or by exhibiting their work. Therefore, the design of the Artcampus building is an attempt at an antithesis to the virtual space of the Internet and social media – by including personal contact, discussions, inspiration, and a multidisciplinary character.
The existing complex (the body of the concept was designed by the architect Kuzma) lacked community spaces. The creation of new meeting and exhibition spaces of different types is therefore a focal part of the new campus.
The proposed design includes three main operating units – the University, the Dormitory and the Technology Incubator. Each of these units has its own community space (Entrance foyer, Foyer of the Dormitory and Hall in the technological part) interconnecting the respective unit vertically, as well as providing a horizontal interconnection. Thus, in addition to the meeting and communication functions, they also serve as a permanent gallery. The artworks of students and teachers should be exhibited at the school not only during the “test phase”, but also throughout the year. The building should not be an “academy set in stone” – a symbol of authority, but instead a living and changing substance inspiring students to be creative. It can be complemented with artefacts, or levitating objects in the halls; its walls can be used as projection surfaces or painting/graffiti canvases. This aspect is also reflected in the exterior. The building (façade) of the campus itself comprises a set of plinths and niches on which objects are placed.
The very substance of the proposal is completely subject to the concept of unpredictable growth. We are not able to predict what technologies artists will use in the future, nor what spacial requirements these technologies will require. Therefore, the architecture of the campus evokes the unfinished status of the layout and encourages change. Whenever a new technology requires a new space, it can be added by being “glued” to the existing amorphous grouping of boxes (a liquid cloud). Growth and expansion are thus possible without “harming” the layout. As the implementation of the second stage will take place with a time delay, it is possible that the local program will have changed by then. The growth principle of the layout allows for a flexible response to such changes – by adding and removing materials as necessary.
Location: Drotárska cesta, Bratislava
Investor: VŠVU
Authors: Tomáš Šebo, Igor Lichý, Emanuel Zatlukaj, Dominika Podolská, Martina Bognerová Hrašková, Aleš Hradecký
Collaboration: Norbert Funczík
Study and project: 2019