A complex of several interconnected medical institutions was gradually created based on the 1965 spa development concept. It is located in the central part of Spa Island in Piešťany. The aim was to build a center with comprehensive spa services including accommodation, catering, balneotherapy, physiotherapy services, as well as space for cultural events and conferences.
Construction of the complex began in 1965 with the laying of the foundation stone of the Palace Medical Institute (today Alameda) with 252 beds. At the same time, construction began on a balneotherapy facility designed by Viktor Uhliarik and Alexander Plačko. The architectural design was based on the concept of the spa in Dudince. In the next stage (1970–1971), two more medical institutes, Grand and Splendid, were built, designed by architect Uhliarik together with Jozef Schuster and constructed by the Neimar construction company from Belgrade. For the first time, an innovative five-aisle layout was used in the inpatient section. The supporting structure is reinforced concrete with monolithic and prefabricated ceilings in a 600/720 module. The new buildings were connected to the balneotherapy facility built by Pozemné stavby Trnava. The interior furnishings were manufactured by Drevina Turany. The last stage of the accommodation section was the construction of the Esplanade Medical Institute with balneotherapy in 1979–1980. The facades of the Esplanade are characterized by dynamic horizontality emphasized by the jagged lines of the terraces, which distinguish this treatment institute from the older parts of the complex. Christo Tursunov worked with architect Uhliarik on the design of this institute. In 1981, the culture center was completed according to the designs of Jozef Schuster. This building contains a congress hall for 400 people, a smaller hall, exhibition spaces, as well as spaces for various services and shops.
The Balnea Center, with a total capacity of around 1,300 people, is one of the most comprehensively equipped spa complexes in Slovakia from the second half of the 20th century. Although it is gradually being renovated and adapted to changing demands for spa services, the authenticity of the overall architectural concept and some of the original materials have been preserved to this day. Especially in the common areas of the entrance foyer, reception, restaurants, bars, and cafes, we find period elements in the form of furniture, lighting, suspended ceilings, stone or wooden floor and wall surfaces, and stair railings. The Splendide has preserved storage furniture in individual rooms. The high degree of authenticity of the spaces is also present in the social center building. The complex is complemented by a number of works of art, not only in the interiors and atriums of the sanatoriums, but also in the public space of the surrounding park.
Bibliography:
SCHUSTER, Jozef. Stavebný vývoj piešťanských kúpeľov v rokoch 1889 – 1940. Projekt, 1994, roč. 36, č. 3, s. 21–24.
Projekt. 1983, roč. 25, č. 2, s. 43.
KRIVOŠOVÁ, Jana – LUKÁČOVÁ, Elena. Premeny súčasnej architektúry Slovenska. Bratislava: Alfa, 1990, s. 131.
KUSÝ, Martin. Architektúra na Slovensku 1945 – 1975. Bratislava: Pallas, 1976, s. 157, 182, 189–190.
MRŇA, Ľubomír. Balnea centrum. In: DULLA, Matúš a kol. Slávne kúpele Slovenska. Bratislava: Foibos Books, 2014, s. 122–123.
UHLIARIK, Viktor. Dostavba piešťanského Balnea centra I. Projekt, 1979, roč. 25, č. 5, s. 30–34.
