Repreint.sk presents selected works of interior architecture from 1960s–1980s, with a partial overlap to later periods.

Interpreted works, however, only partly cover the wide range of representative interiors from that period. There have been other numerous architectural gems created in Slovakia where interior design plays its exclusive, prominent role, and is found in the parts of the building interior, furniture, and lighting design.

The works presented were selected mainly based on the following: the preservation of their original form, limits in procuring documentation materials, project time interval, and residing locations of participating students. Nevertheless, the presented sample has the potential to point out the authenticity, qualities and significance of the then interior design creation and visual arts, as well as outline the cultural and social values that must be reminded of over the years and be understood as an irreplaceable part of our history and the background for future creative activities.

The project goal is to raise awareness of a broad expert and lay public about preserved cultural values we own in Slovakia. Likewise, it aspires to motivate current authors to make creative decisions that consider the momentous legacy of our past, respect the cultural and social continuity, identity, tectonics, and characteristic features of the original work, which will be reminded of through the work’s individual parts, preserved period artefacts and other expressional alternatives.

Architects and designers of previous periods did not have such an ample array of opportunities as there are nowadays in terms of materials or technology and, as to the availability of design articles serially produced abroad. There was only a limited offer of quality industrially manufactured products of local provenience for public interiors. That is perhaps the reason why the authors focused much more on atypical interior details and artistic attributes, that brought a distinctive character and specific atmosphere onto the interior environment. Majority of designs and completed works of that period were as atypical design solutions, with the prevalence of solitaires and configurations of design elements tailored to their environment. Putting emphasis on artistic details and craftsmanship precision were manifested in several layers of the creative process. Along with architectural and building interior elements, essential for the authors to achieve the desired expression were the furniture, lights and authentic works of art composed as integral, symbiotic parts of the inner architecture. Thus, numerous authors translated the creative principles into unique interior sceneries, artistically valuable design, and artefacts of fine arts, many of which have been preserved to these days. 

Significant features of interiors

The presented interiors are typical for unique expression reflecting the characteristic style of the individual authors and at the same time they feature many common creative attributes. Typical and dominating features of the period interiors are particularly the following: 

– overlapping of architecture, design, and fine arts;
– close connection between the spatial and design concepts;
– multiple rhythmical repetition of geometrically shaped interior components and artistic motifs;
– stone facing and ceramic tiling of various shapes and formats;
– wood panelling and furniture based on wooden materials;
– artistic shaping and structuring of ceilings, often featuring wooden grid and lamellar systems;
– compositionally and artistically dominant lights objects and installations;
– geometric shaping and layout of seating furniture;
– applying strong accents and contrasts by the use of colours;
– integration of artistically valuable artworks;
– and other characteristics.

It is only natural that any new era brings along the necessary revitalisation and adaptation of buildings that respond to the changes arising from new users’ requirements and various other factors. Changes prompted by new material possibilities, environmental effects and technology innovations are also natural, and they will be logically reflected in new creative procedures. The art is in harmonising the work’s original values with innovative design approaches, to let their natural essence stand out even after many years and present them reasonably also for the generations to come. We believe that many of the preserved original messages will remain a living reflection of the past not only on photographs, but also in their real, physical form and so will continue to remind us of creative accomplishments of once famous and less-known authors.

Texts:

doc. Ing. arch. Jana Vinárčiková, PhD.
Texts randomly include selected paragraphs from students’ seminar papers.

Course leads:

Public Interior course: Ing. arch. Katarína Morávková, PhD.
Selected Chapters – Interior course: doc. Ing. arch. Jana Vinárčiková, PhD.

As its partial outcome, the project also includes the publication of a university textbook:

“Umelecké dielo v interiéri” [Artwork in Interior] by Mgr. Ing. Branislav Jelenčík, ArtD. Dip. Mgmt.