Conversion of industrial area DIMITROVKA

Faculty of Architecture and Design STU in Bratislava

Project idea

Proposed area - Dimitrovka - is a former industrial zone in the district of Bratislava - Nove mesto. The area has the signs of industrial production. Production sites began to be built at the end of the 19th
century on the suburb of the city. Today it is a part of the inner city, in a locality with main function of housing. The area is bordered by busy traffic streets with direct links to the city center and the D1 motorway. There are three important railway stations nearby - Vinohrady, Predmestie and Nové mesto. railways are creating a line barrier. This area has borders with industrial park Dynamitka and Palma. The total area is 105 hectares. Several original industrial buildings have been preserved, which currently have poor technical condition but high architectural value. Some of them are Renewed and used today. The contrast is created by panel buildings and new residential projects. The territory is functionally diverse. The main civic amenities are concentrated on the residential area in the northwest part. The dominant building of this area is chemical park - Istrochem. The zone with the existing park is unattractive. Untreated green areas do not use their potential and are marked by the history of production. Private gardens are situated in an unsuitable location and create a barrier for pedestrians. Public spaces look unattractive , do not offer activities to residents and mostly serve as parking lots. The Dimitrovka zone is mainly visited by customers of specialized stores. The location is not attractive to ordinary people.

Project description

The boundaries of the area are also the main traffic routes – Vajnorská and Račianská street. The area is very well connected with the city center and other important parts of Bratislava. There is Insufficient public transportation in this part of the city, however there are three railwaystations nearby. In the future is planned integrated transport which will connect city center and suburbs.
Proposed transport network divides area into several smaller areas with a different kind of use. Roads are hierarchically organized by importance. Two main axes intersect in the central part are creating new center of the area. On the main AREA axis, connected to Vajnorská street, there is planned a tram line that connects the main railway station with other railway stations.

On the Vajnorská street, the proposed development follows the existing street line and is finnished with a high-rise administrative area. Proposed housing area reacts to existing architecture. The main residential streets are connected with a quality public spaces. Proposed, but existing bus stops as well, are respecting future urban development of neighboring areas. These areas are also connected with renewed pedestrian upperbridges over railway and busy Vajnorská street.

Demolished and replaced buildings from vajnorská street continuing to the area have the urban character of apartment buildings. Parking lots are mostly in underground garages. each block has its semi-public space for residents with greenery, playgrounds and courts. Lower apartment buildings have also community gardens. the typology of apartment buildings is complemented by terraced houses with private and community gardens.
the noise barrier from the railway is a green line designed as a park with lots of activities and public spaces. Part of it is also important cycling route connecting local lake “kuchajda” and existing cycling route to the Carpathians mountains.

Technical information

New - designed and renewed green areas are all interconnected, creating an valuable public space mostly for pedestrians. in the original parks, valuable buildings have been restored for various cultural uses, such as a museum about industrial history of an area. Public amenities and facilities are centered on the main axis, perpendicular to the tram line. simple buildings were added to the original industrial buildings, which unified them and offered space for library, studios, galleries, shops, gastro services etc. as a guiding element for other pedestrian zone, is used restored factory railway connecting center of the zone and park with a lake.

at the intersection of the axes, where is located tram stop, there are non-commercial amenities such as a health center, school, kindergarten and centers for children and seniors. But there are commercial amenities as well. there is a lot of restaurants, cafes, temporary accommodation and shops. the green areas are complemented by paved areas and pavilions. Contrast to the green areas and new architecture of this zone is created by old industrial buildings transformed into loft apartments. There is also Marketplace located in the original building. Administration zone as a part of this mostly residential area, were designed to prevent depopulation during the day, when residents are leaving for work and school. thanks to the mix of the functions, people come to the area for work, so area is alive throughout the whole day.

Co-authors

Dominik Haviar