A cluster of corporate buildings arranged in a grid-like urban layout. Set amidst gardens and green courtyards.
Our task was to develop an urban and architectural design for a small urban zone that would include a cluster of five multifunctional, administrative-operational buildings. In addition to the buildings themselves, the assignment also encompassed the design of the access road and traffic organization on the site, including parking with an adequate number of parking spaces, the layout of public spaces around the buildings, landscaping, paved areas, and pedestrian pathways, among others. In terms of volume and area, the future buildings were planned with a total usable floor area of approximately 250 m² per building. A key feature of the buildings is their initial versatility and ongoing flexibility. They are designed for multiple uses and should have the capacity to adapt their interiors over time to meet the changing needs of future users. The primary function of the buildings is intended to be administrative or administrative-operational. Taking into account the investor's vision as well as the valid zoning plan for the area, the buildings are planned to be two stories high, with an additional recessed third floor ...
The plot is located in the suburban area of Považský Chlmec, part of the city of Žilina. The site is well connected to the regional transportation network via the D3 motorway, which tunnels through the northern part of the district. A road passes through Považský Chlmec, connecting to routes leading further into Žilina and towards Martin via Strečno. Traffic access to the plot is planned directly from the main road at the site of an existing entrance, currently serving as a public transport stop and turnaround point. The area is characterized by a mix of individual residential development and civic amenities, including operational, industrial, logistical, and administrative buildings.
The plot itself has a square shape, with one narrow, elongated parcel extending northward from its regular, enclosed geometric form. Originally, the site served as a green forecourt for a larger industrial complex situated north of its boundary. Its western edge borders the entrance to this industrial complex, while the southern boundary connects to an adjacent road providing the existing access to the plot. A significant constraint for future development on the site is the presence of a high-voltage (22 kV) overhead power line running across the northern part of the plot. A 10-meter protective zone around this line must be respected when planning the placement of structures. Mature trees scattered across the site are intended to be preserved and incorporated into the landscaping design to the extent feasible.
A key consideration in the design process is that the administrative-operational buildings are intended for eventual sale to end users, along with portions of the plot they occupy. The urban design concept addresses this by ensuring equal access to the subdivided plots from the entrance and parking area. The future parcels are arranged perpendicular to a new parking lot, which occupies the space between the main road and the approximate building line of the area. The grid-like placement of new buildings offers better lighting conditions, views, and the opportunity to retain mature trees in the courtyards between the structures. Future users will benefit from landscaped spaces with dense, tall deciduous trees that provide shade in summer and enhance the area’s refreshing green character, blending in with its mature surroundings.
The administrative-operational buildings are designed for simplicity and versatility. They share a unified cubic form based on a square floor plan, with two standard floors and a recessed third floor. Interiors feature a compact operational core with technical, storage, and sanitary facilities, kitchens, and vertical staircases connecting all levels. Beyond the core, the first and second floors are open to various layout options, whether cost-effective open-plan workspaces or smaller, enclosed offices (e.g., meeting rooms, archives, or server rooms). The recessed third floor may be used as office or meeting spaces with rooftop terraces or as small staff apartments. The placement of the third floor ensures privacy for rooftop terraces and creates a visually light and airy upper structure.
The facades of the buildings are designed to be functional, simple, and economically efficient. Ground-level areas, including the front display windows, rear terraces, and west-facing facades of the recessed third floors, feature fully glazed aluminum facades that convey an airy, elegant, and lightweight appearance. On the upper floors, simple aluminum strip windows provide flexibility for interior layouts and meet standard fire safety regulations. The buildings’ load-bearing structures consist of reinforced concrete cores (for external walls) and steel skeletons at the facades, complemented by reinforced concrete ceilings. Non-load-bearing interior walls are designed as lightweight, adjustable plasterboard constructions. Full facade areas are conceived as ventilated cladding with an outer layer of corrugated aluminum sheets, reflecting the greenery of the courtyard trees. Flat roofs above the third floors will feature gravel finishes and extensive green roofing.
While the specific functional use of the proposed buildings is not yet determined, their flexible design allows for a wide range of applications. They could serve as administrative offices, spaces for non-production or light manufacturing services, conference centers, medical facilities (e.g., clinics), or even sports facilities (e.g., gymnasiums).
Authors: Braňo Hovorka, Martin Paulíny, Radovan Krajňak
Location: Považský Chlmec, Žilina, Slovakia
Investor: Ideálne domy s.r.o.
Design Year: 2024
Usable Floor Area: 232 m² per building, total 1,160 m²
Built Volume: 1,070 m³ per building, total 5,350 m³
