The Information center for visitors of Slavic hillfort

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

Project idea

My work deals with design of Information center for visitors of Slavic hillfort Neštich , which is located in deciduous forests of little Carpathians , above town Svätý Jur.

The intention was to create solitary architecture , which would not be disturbing in natural environment but at the same time create an engaging element in contrast to the undisturbed landscape of the forest.

Considering that main exhibit would be extensive archeological area of the fort and object would be surrounded by the hiking trails , Information center would include different functions , such as : educational ,historical , tourist and leasure time function.
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There are projects that are born both out of their site and for it.

There are projects that create the site for themselves.

There are projects for which beaty we all need to adapt ourselves.


Carlos Castanheira, Álvaro Siza

Project description

Philosophy of the mass, is inspired by the oblique shapes of the ramparts and ditches from the Slavic architecture.

From the basic mass of the cuboid, by the sloping and cutting of the mass with the objects with oblique walls, I have devided the mass into two separate units. The final form of the perimeter mass reminds with its sloping walls the ramparts which enclose the centrally located pavilion.

By the architectural completion of the mass, I have tried to :
1. create an outlook on the hillfort
2. connect the building to the terrain
3. creat an interior contact with the surrounding forest

In regard to the location of the Information center in infront of the original gate to the 2nd ravelin and considering that main exhibit is extensive areal of hillfort, I have created an exterior outlook on the roof of the ´´ramparts´´ ( perimeter object of the Info center) , directed not only to the hillfort but also to the surrounding nature. From the ground floor, the view to the fort is created by a glazed portal located on the front side of the object.

The building is connected to the terrain by exterior staircases or ramp that provides a smooth terrain passage to the roof view.

The shape of the building resembles the ramparts that create the protection of the centrally located introverted pavilion. The use of oblique walls affect the visual aspect of the exterior while creating a dramatic impression in the interior.

In the exhibition parts of the building are combined elements of the walls in slope and the dark and narrowed space to create an emotions that are in contrast to the outlook in the narrowest passage which provides the contact of the visitors with the forest.

I also tried to create a symmetry which is reflected in the exact square floor plan of the ramparts and the pavilion, as well as in the symmetrical portals with same shape on the facade of both objects.

The contrast but also lightweight element of the architecture should be a combination of black and white on the facade. While the black color of the ramparts softens their robustness ,the white color of the pavilion lightens
atrium.

The facade concrete walls of the ramparts are formed with a print of a wooden formwork and concrete walls of the pavilion are supplemented by the Slavic sign called Perun flower and the luniacal pendant which was found on the hillfort Neštich.

Technical information

Foundations are made as reinforced-concrete strips with a depth of 0.95m under all load-bearing structures.

A peripheral load-bearing wall system is designed for the object, the walls of the ramparts are in slope of 75 °. They are made from three-part sandwich structure. The load-bearing part is made of reinforced concrete 250 or 300 mm thick. 300 mm has a wall embedded in the ground, which has an additional load from the ground pressure.

A reinforced concrete slab with a thickness of 220 mm is designed for the ramparts. A prestressed concrete 300 mm slab is designed for the pavilion.

External walls are sandwich walls, which are made of reinforced-concrete bearing layer 250 and 300 mm thick, which are insulated with Styrodur 3000CS thermal insulation and the facade layer is with 150 mm thick waterproof reinforced concrete. For the ramparts, the facade layer is formed by wooden formwork. Facede of the pavilon is made with system Reckli, which is inserted into the formwork to form the symbols of the perun flower and the luniacal pendant.

The building of the ramparts has a walkable flat roof, which is sloping and the drainage of water is provided by rainwater drains.
The pavilion has flat extensive green roof that is sloping and water drainage is provided by rainwater drainage.
The roof structure meets the requirements of building physics.

Sewerage of the building will be connected to a local sewage treatment plant. Water supply to the building will be provided by a well. The water will then be treated with the required technology for drinking water. The object is defined as seasonal operation, therefore heating / tempering will be provided by heat pump or electric heating. Distribution of electricity for the building will be provided from a nearby residential area. There will be a natural ventilation in the building with the help of the air grating on the facade.