This project focuses on the design of the Centre for Croatian Culture, located in the Jarovce district, which represents an important cultural hub for the Croatian minority within the territory of Bratislava. Jarovce has preserved its specific identity and traditions to this day, which form an integral part of the cultural heritage of this area. The aim of the project was to create an architectural object that would serve as an open and inclusive platform for community life, the preservation of traditions, and the development of cultural activities within this unique local identity. The design of the centre is based on the principles of accessibility, clarity, and communicative space. The architecture is not conceived as a solitary object but rather as an active part of the public realm – inviting, connecting, and inspiring. The spatial arrangement is derived from the need to combine diverse functions social, cultural, educational, and recreational within a compact and logically organized structure.

I based the architectural concept on the contrast between the horizontal, compact mass of the main functional area and the distinctive vertical volume of the service spaces with the circulation core. I rotated this vertical volume by 45 degrees in relation to the main floor plan direction.

I see this rotation as a key element that organizes the open layout of the building. It creates a dynamic in the massing, breaks the monotony of the linear rhythm, and at the same time softens the transition between the building and the public space. This element defines the identity of the entire center and serves as an orientation point within the building.

For me, it is essential that the building is not closed off, but open and permeable, allowing interaction between the interior and exterior, both visually and functionally. This transparency and sensory continuity are important, and I have prominently incorporated them into the design.

The structural system of the building is designed as a combined frame-wall system made of reinforced concrete. The basic structural module is a regular 6 × 6 meter grid of columns, which ensures structural stability while offering a high degree of spatial flexibility. The columns have a circular cross-section with a diameter of 300 mm, are monolithic, and are reinforced to resist shear forces and punching.

Above the multifunctional hall, a prominent architectural element is proposed – a reinforced concrete folded roof (lomenica), which also functions as a skylight. This structure is oriented to the north, allowing diffuse natural light to enter the central space of the hall without the risk of excessive overheating. The folded roof serves not only a lighting function but also creates a spatial openness – it visually enlarges and brightens the space, enhancing the quality and atmosphere of the interior.

The materiality of the building is based on the principles of structural honesty and visual clarity. The dominant element is exposed concrete, complemented by stainless steel details, textile elements, and glazed surfaces that soften the volume and open the interior to the surroundings. The façade is defined by a perforated metal cladding, which creates a dynamic filter between the interior and exterior.