We want the best architects to design the squares in cooperation with other experts in order to get the best possible solution for people spending their time in this space.
SNP Square, Kamenné Square and Velvet Revolution Square represent one of the most important urban spaces in Bratislava. They are located in the city centre in the conservation zone. The area is a combination of several important layers – a socially significant space, an important public transportation transfer hub and the presence of objects subject to conservation. Therefore, this space needs to be approached comprehensively and requirements of a large number of local stakeholders need to be taken into account.
Using the competitive dialogue procedure will make it possible to reach a design that will account for and solve these factors in the maximum extent possible and with a higher degree of certainty than could be expected in the case of proposals submission through a standard anonymous design contest, which does not allow negotiations about the design in the process of its creation. A gradual definition of the project based on the proposals of the participants and the possibility to discuss these solutions in all their aspects are the main benefits of the competitive dialogue.
What is a Competitive Dialogue?
A competitive dialogue is a form of an architectural competition that makes it possible to further specify the brief between announcing the competition and submitting the final competition designs, and the studios participating in the competition may continuously consult their designs with the experts involved in the competitive dialogue. Moreover, a wider spectrum of people can be involved in the process; besides the evaluation committee, participants, and experts, these can also include local stakeholders in the area, who bring a relevant perspective into the brief.
It is used in projects with a high level of complexity when it is not possible to define all conditions of the project brief with absolute certainty at the time of announcing the competition. These are further specified during the dialogue thanks to the possibility of providing feedback to the proposals.
The competitive dialogue for SNP Square, Kamenné Square and Velvet Revolution Square has two stages. In stage 1, requests to participate were submitted, and in stage 2, the commission evaluated the submitted professional portfolios and chose teams that will work on the architectural design for this area.
The selected teams will get background information from experts and parties concerned during a conference. Individual topics, limitations and opportunities in the squares will be introduced there in detail. In the process of the competitive dialogue, the teams will further participate in two workshops, where they will present their designs to the committee, experts, and local stakeholders. Workshops will include a discussion based on which participants will further elaborate their designs. Then, the teams participating in the competition will submit their final tenders, which will be evaluated by the committee. Negotiations about concluding a contract will then commence with the author of the winning project.
Alternate committee members
Antonín Novák /CZ/
architect , www.drnh.cz
Juraj Šujan /SK/
Advisor to the City Mayor of Bratislava – architect in Šujan-Štassel
Michal Marcinov /SK/
MIB, member of Živé námestie (The Vivid Square), landscape architect - LABAK
Roman Žitňanský /SK/
MIB, Public Space Section, architect
Experts and local stakeholders
Active participants of the competitive dialogue also include experts and local stakeholders. They include around 30 experts on various aspects of the brief, representatives of institutions, business owners, and other stakeholders from the area under consideration. They will all have the opportunity to express their opinions and discuss the competition designs.
Background documents and conditions of the competition can be found on this link
