We live in a hyper-globalized world that is intelligent, innovative, and technologically advanced—yet profoundly uneven. At this pace, we are losing our sense of identity, both as individuals and as communities. Amidst the chaos and confusion, we seek points of stability—beacons of our cultural heritage.
Manor houses and smaller noble residences represent a unique typology that reflects the multi-ethnic identity of Slovakia. These buildings embodied a multicultural character, blending Hungarian, Austrian, Slovak, and Czech residents and their cultural values. They served as vital connectors between the architecture, its surrounding regions, and landscapes. The relationship between the landscape, the buildings, and their inhabitants was close and mutually symbiotic. However, over the last 150 years, these structures have been recognized for their functional and symbolic value, witnessing stories of oppression, decline, the struggle for freedom, and the breakdown of communities.
Now, as we face global challenges—such as social and economic disparities, regional neglect, and migration—can we learn from these histories? What is unique about these structures that encapsulates ideas of multiculturalism, tolerance, coexistence, and care? And can we still add another layer of history to them today?
We are exploring the physical aspects of these values and how they are manifested in the architectural structure of these buildings.
The studio assignments for the 2024/25 academic year will focus on exploring the physical aspects of these values and how they are reflected in the physical structure of buildings.
The results of the collaborative work of the vertical studio will be presented in May 2025 as part of the Time Space Existence exhibition, which runs concurrently with La Biennale Architettura from May 10 to November 23, 2025, in Venice. VA students will also participate in the preparation of this exhibition.
In the academic year 2023/ 24 we gave priority to the small manor house in the village of Tomášovce, Rimavská Sobota district and its adjacent surroundings, in summer term we focused on the wester part of the country, od manor houses of Ladce (Trenčiansky district) and Lukáčovce (Nitriansky district).
