Eco center in the inland delta of the Danube river, in the village Vojka

STU in Bratislava - Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Architecture

Project idea

The project focuses on the design of an eco-center in the inland delta of the Danube River, emphasizing the preservation of building culture and sustainable development principles. Architecture, as a reflection of societal values and the times, is becoming an increasingly important tool in creating environments that are not only functional but also environmentally conscious.
The eco-center project is situated in the unique and ecologically significant inland delta of the Danube River. This region, with its rich biodiversity and complex ecosystems, serves as a critical area for conservation and sustainable development. The project seeks to bridge the gap between modern architectural practices and the traditional building culture of the region, ensuring that new developments enhance rather than detract from the natural and cultural heritage.

Project description

Characterization of the Construction Site
The site is located within the existing residential area of the village of Vojka nad Dunajom. On the flat land, there stands a building from the 19th century, which currently serves as a pharmacy and post office. This building has fallen victim to the socialist era, during which it completely lost its original features.
My vision involves restoring the old building to its original state and creating a new structure that will reflect the shape and forms of the existing buildings.

Architectural and Urban Solution
The proposed building is situated in a stabilized urbanized area. The village predominantly has a rural character, with many original buildings primarily serving residential purposes. Typical elements of local architecture include slender houses extending towards the yard. A distinctive feature is the porch running along the entire side façade.
The proposed new building respects the street alignment in both form and volume. By mirroring the shape of the existing building on the plot, a pleasant courtyard is created, into which the rooms are oriented. The design concept is fundamentally based on local traditional architecture. It follows the narrow form of the house, where the individual rooms are sequentially placed one after another and connected by an external covered porch. The porch is in direct contact with the garden. The porches of both buildings are connected by an exterior covered space.

Technical information

The building materials consist of four basic elements: neutral white plaster, fired bricks, ceramic tiles, and wooden components. This combination provides an elegant contemporary appearance that is nonetheless rooted in traditional, natural materials.

Floor and Wall Insulation
In the floor and wall constructions, an insulating material based on hemp. The insulation, made from fibers of the highest quality processed with modern technologies, is a versatile building material that exceeds the required European standards. Hemp insulation is natural and ecological, has excellent thermal insulation properties, is hygienically safe, supports a suitable indoor climate, and is a vapor-permeable material, ensuring automatic moisture regulation. It is stable, durable, and maintains dimensional stability.

The interior surfaces of the constructions will be plastered with clay plaster. The most important property of clay materials is their ability to regulate humidity within the interior of homes, contributing to an improved indoor environment. Unlike most building materials, clay can immediately absorb a large amount of excess moisture from the air and gradually release it back into the interior.