Croatian Cultural Centre in Jarovce, Slovakia

Idea projektu

The project responds to the contrast between the historic linear housing and the newer dispersed development in Jarovce. It proposes a cultural centre that serves as a bridge between the old and the new, both physically and symbolically. The architectural concept is based on openness, transparency, and community connection—culture as a unifying element. The building is permeable from all sides with a cross-shaped internal layout that supports movement between key public spaces in the area. Formally, the design reinterprets the archetype of a traditional pitched-roof house into a contemporary minimalist structure with a translucent textile façade, symbolizing lightness and openness. The project avoids folkloric representation of Croatian identity, focusing instead on universal values: inclusivity, cooperation, and shared culture. It becomes a space where communities, stories, and identities meet—an expression of how we aspire to live together, with respect for both heritage and future.

Popis projektu

The design reflects the transitional nature of the site, located between the historic core of Jarovce and its newer developments. While the older urban fabric features structured street alignments and narrow plots, the newer area is more dispersed, characterized by freestanding buildings. The cultural center is strategically positioned to connect surrounding residential zones, sports facilities, the cemetery, and the village center. The building’s open form and multiple entrances foster permeability, establishing it as a dynamic hub of community life. A cross-shaped floor plan allows for flexible interior layouts and direct pedestrian flow through the building, integrating it fluidly with its surroundings. Outdoor spaces transition seamlessly into the interior, encouraging informal gatherings and public events. Landscaping and hardscapes are designed to reflect the scale and rhythm of the surrounding neighborhood while ensuring accessibility for all users. Architecturally, the building is defined by a translucent textile façade, which softens its mass and highlights its civic role. Gently tilted shading panels, inspired by traditional gabled roofs, lend rhythm to the exterior while evoking themes of openness and lightness. The ground floor arranges programmatic zones in each of the building’s four corners. The main entrance from Ovocná Street leads into a double-height foyer with an information point and skylight. A café with views of a rain garden occupies the corner facing the cemetery. A staircase leads to the upper floor, where a public library and reading room are located. Adjacent to the info point are shared restrooms and a multipurpose hall situated in the southeast corner. This hall opens to an outdoor area with amphitheater-style seating, creating an intimate venue for performances and public events. Support spaces include dressing rooms, catering facilities, and staff amenities. Parking and service access are located at the rear of the site, via a newly extended road. The flexible floor plan accommodates a wide range of activities, from concerts and exhibitions to lectures and workshops. The upper floor also houses a workshop/yoga room with its own restroom and terrace, along with additional visitor facilities.

Technické informácie

The structural system follows a 6-meter grid and is executed using Peikko technology: reinforced concrete columns paired with prefabricated filigree floor slabs. Technical installations run beneath the ceiling and are discreetly concealed by acoustic panels. Glazed sections of the facade are shaded by a lightweight, structured textile skin that not only filters sunlight but also visually emphasizes the modular rhythm of the architecture. The building prioritizes passive cooling strategies inspired by traditional construction techniques. The primary defense against overheating is the external textile shading layer, which, combined with the white ventilated facade, minimizes solar heat absorption. Natural ventilation plays a key role—an operable skylight at the roof’s apex activates a stack effect, allowing warm air to escape from the upper levels of the building. In terms of active systems, the building incorporates ceiling cooling embedded within the monolithic reinforced concrete slab, which also functions as radiant heating. To enhance thermal comfort, floor-level convectors with integrated electric fans are installed along the glazed facades, effectively preventing cold drafts and condensation. The entire system is powered by a water-to-water heat pump housed in the technical room on the second floor, drawing geothermal energy from a well system. The roof is designed as an extensive green roof—a true “fifth facade”—providing both ecological benefits and visual appeal. Excess rainwater is managed through a retention tank situated in the adjacent rain garden near the cemetery.