Slovak Radio Building

The building of Slovak Radio is a tangible example of works representing the late Modern period, in which the interior environment is formed under a natural influence of the building-structural tectonics. Thus the building’s non-standard mass taking the shape of a reversed pyramid has become a remarkable phenomenon impacting the character of interior architecture and the impression it gives. Operation-wise, the intensively used sectors are a concert hall and recording studios, finding their complements in broadcasting studios, newsroom and editors’ offices, administration units, circulation and lobby areas, and technology premises. A multiple-floor hall extending around a reinforced concrete communication core is surely the feature dominating this space. The airy-like interior, generous in volume, is characterised by the abundance of daylight, creating dynamic light effects, and by long living interior greenery. The concert hall with the capacity of 523 visitors and layout dimensions of 40×25 m counts as one of the most attractive premises. Its prominent feature is an organ, ranking among the largest organs in Central Europe. [1, 2]

Excellent acoustics is a rare phenomenon of the inside environment. Despite a relative noisiness of the location, visitors find themselves “being surrounded by silence” and not only in the recording studios. This is achieved through the construction- acoustics and surely improved by plentiful carpets used in the concert hall and recording rooms, as well as in the multi-floor hall and administration offices. Good acoustic parameters in the hall are also reached thanks to the floor fixed on springs attenuating the vibrations and adverse acoustic effects. The materials used in the interior comprise stone and ceramic wall facing of various formats, metal lamellas and other metal components, glass, concrete, solid wood, leather, and textiles present in the form carpets and upholstered furniture. A so-called “Swedish board” – ceramic tiling resembling non plastered brickwork in a range of deep brick-red and earth colour tones is the most used facing material. Wall and floor tiles of various formats are arranged in a symbiotic harmony with other materials and create user-attractive visual effects. The range of colours builds on earthy tones, complemented by red, orange, sand, and dark brown hues, a creamy wall panelling and natural colours of stone and concrete finishes. Irreplaceable in the interior design are artistically designed lights taking the position of unique visual works of art in the interior premises. Geometric masses of lighting elements dominating the composition are visually accentuated by red colour and the size. The original seating furniture is also characterised by geometric motifs typical of the then period; the motifs are mostly visible in the furniture shapes and layout arrangement. Even today, the soft, user-comfortable lines and detailed workmanship of leather upholstery refer to the design trends of that time, precision and established artisan techniques. [2, 7] 

Despite the normal physical wear and tear, the interiors of Slovak Radio Building still appear attractive and unusual to its visitors, offering a spatial impression that is far from a traditional one. There are numerous visually interesting and surprising moments, as Terézia Divékyová aptly articulates: “The building’s interior and its exterior are equally attractive. The connectedness between them is visible right from the entrance to the building. As a whole, the interior environment looks grand and, given the year of its origin, almost unbelievable”. [7]