A new story for a brownfield site near the centre of Bratislava

About the project

Zváračák is located on one of the few larger brownfield sites in close proximity to Bratislava’s city center. It is a site on a major city transport route that has the potential to complement the emerging part of Bratislava with a high-quality, compact urban environment.

Zváračák combines the advantages of a central location, proximity to nature, access to a range of shops, services and public transport, and excellent access to the main transport routes.

Once completed, the project will bring not only new housing and offices, but also services, shops, cafes, restaurants, and public spaces accessible to both residents and the public.

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Brownfield close to the Bratislava city centre
Land area of6 hectars
Gross floor area 150 000 sq m
70 % residential
30 % offices and civic amenities

The competition

In order to find the best possible design for the Zváračák site, we are launching an international architectural competition. Its goal is to find the best and highest-quality proposal for the future character of the site – in terms of urban planning, functionality, and design.

The ateliers that enter the competition will be able to compete alongside leading European architectural studios that are behind well-known projects in cities across Europe or Asia.

The winners of the first and second rounds will be decided by a jury of experts consisting of architects, urban planners, and representatives of the city and the developer.

2. December 2025 Start of the registration for studios
6. February 2026 Round 1 – Proposal submission

The deadline for submission of conceptual solutions for the area and basic proposals for the future design of the project.

11. February 2026 Round 1 – Evaluation

The expert jury will select the designs that will advance to the second round for further elaboration.

16. February 2026 Start of Round 2

The studios that advance to the second round will elaborate their designs in more detail.

27. March 2026 Round 2 – Proposal submission

The deadline for submission of final proposals.

4. April 2026 Evaluation of the architectural competition

The expert jury will decide on the winning proposal, which will determine the future appearance of the Zváračák area.

Invited studios

Studio Egret West is an award-winning London-based studio, which is behind several major projects in Europe, particularly in London. In their work, they emphasize not only the quality of architecture, but also public spaces and the surrounding nature. Their portfolio includes London projects such as Balfron Tower and the revitalized Earls Court area, as well as many other sustainable urban projects. 

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KCAP is a leading Dutch studio that focuses on environmentally conscious urban projects that naturally connect with existing public spaces. The studio has completed significant projects such as HafenCity in Hamburg (Germany), Shenzen Airport East in China, and the University of Utrecht campus.

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Benthem Crouwel Architects is an internationally renowned Dutch studio focused on public buildings and cultural projects. It is behind iconic buildings such as Amsterdam Centraal, Stedelijk Museum, and Breda Station and is one of Europe's most prominent studios in the field of infrastructure architecture. Their work is characterized by technical precision, functionality, and unique design.

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Jury Representatives of
the developer

Jury

Igor Marko

Architect, urban planner and co-founder of Marko & Placemakers in London and Bratislava. He has long been involved in the transformation of urban areas, the creation of public spaces, and sustainable cities. He has worked on projects in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Martin Paško

Architect and partner at DF CREATIVE GROUP. Co-founder of the Design Factory creative center. He focuses on urban projects, residential and mixed-use developments, with an emphasis on sustainability and the revitalization of industrial heritage. His portfolio includes major projects such as the conversion of the national cultural monument Jurkovič Heating Plant in Bratislava, Design Factory, Rafinery Gallery, Dve sýpky, Moskovská Residence, the Piešťany Power Plant, and many others. His work has earned numerous significant national and international awards.

Kornel Kobák

Architect and First Vice President of the Slovak Chamber of Architects. He works as an expert on urbanism and legislative matters related to the profession. He also represents Slovakia in the Architects’ Council of Europe.

Filip Prikler

Architect and urban planner. Since 2014, he has been leading an architectural studio focused on projects of various scales, from interiors to complex urban planning solutions. Since 2025, he has been working as Deputy Head of the Office of the Chief Architect of Bratislava.

Representatives of
the developer

Juraj Nevolník

A graduate of Architecture at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. He spent almost 15 years at Penta Real Estate, the last seven of which he served as its Chief Executive Officer in Slovakia. During this time, he oversaw the development of several major projects in Bratislava, including the Bory residential zone, the Rosum office project, and SKY PARK Offices. Since 2025, he has been a member of the investment committee for the Zváračák project.

Vladimír Brodňan

For over 25 years, he has been working in finance and manages a family investment holding company that invests in manufacturing, energy, and real estate development projects. He graduated from the University of Economics in Bratislava and previously worked in private equity.

Valér Demjan

An economist, senior and crisis manager, and former university lecturer with teaching experience at universities in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He currently serves as the CEO of the Welding Research Institute, is a member of the board of Račianska Reality, a.s., and oversees the real estate portfolio within the AZC Group.