New publication 101: Slovak architecture

2024-10-15

We present the result of a four-year cooperation between the association Čierne diery and the Department of Architecture of the Institute of History SAS: a unique publication on Slovak architectural works listed in the international DOCOMOMO register.

This extensive publication presents 101 buildings that are among the most significant works of modern architecture and urbanism in Slovakia. These buildings, from Bratislava to Trebišov, are registered in DOCOMOMO International, an international organization for the documentation and protection of buildings and urban complexes of the modern movement. The book is thus not a presentation of new research, but the result of a long-term mapping of the condition of these works. The impulse for the publication was both an effort to spread awareness of the unique buildings in Slovakia and the alarming condition of some of the buildings and the persistent reluctance of the competent authorities to protect them properly.

The list of buildings is not final; it is being created in stages and is constantly expanding. It shows how we treat the heritage of modernism, which represents the most important period for our country in terms of its contemporary identity. The texts by the team of the Department of Architecture of the Institute of History SAS are accompanied by photographs by Matej Hakár. The texts and photographs in the book are supplemented by timelines of the important historical events as well as milestones of Slovak architectural historiography and several maps with the location of the works.

We have decided to dedicate the book 101: Slovak Architecture to the memory of Klára Kubičková, an architectural historian whose passion for modern architecture contributed to Slovakia's membership in DOCOMOMO.

Texts: Henrieta Moravčíková, Monika Bočková, Katarína Haberlandová, Laura Krišteková, Gabriela Smetanová, Peter Szalay
Photographs: Matej Hakár
Book design: Michal Tornyai
Editorial design: Nataša Holinová, Martin Lipták
Translation into English: David McLean
Product photographs: Leontína Berková

The publication of the book was supported by: Faculty of Architecture and Design STU, Art Support Fund, Canon Slovakia, Arctic Paper, Slovak National Gallery.