Átrium Slovenskej Sporiteľne

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SLSP Atrium

Inside the building of the bank’s headquarters, there was a generous space at the intersection of the interior and exterior, with great but underutilized potential. The interior atrium, covering approximately 800m2, was used only occasionally, and our task was to change this.

The regular square, enclosed by glass facades up to 9 floors high, is covered by a shading fabric, so the conditions inside are neither fully interior-like nor as extreme as the exterior. The originally minimalist architecture was highlighted by an oversized hanging sculpture by Bohuš Kubinský.

In the design, we worked with two perspectives – from below and from above. We adapted the large scale of the atrium, approximately 800m2, with furniture and fixtures to make it a pleasant place where people feel comfortable, protected from the sun, and, in some seasons, from the cold and noise, while maintaining a degree of privacy. From the top perspective, we conceived the space to be visually engaging, intentionally disrupting the austere geometry and color scheme.

The effort to divide the space came from the logic of different potential uses. On the other hand, we had to respect the bank’s requirement that the atrium would also be used for large social events and presentations, so it had to remain open and clear.

We created four main functional zones, defined by the organic shapes of the furniture and the floor, which locally changes from stone to a reflective sports surface in earthy tones.

The first zone, Meet & Greet, naturally extends from the bank's cafeteria. It offers seating in the sunniest corner of the atrium, so we decided to partially shade it with fabrics, which, along with the flexible sport floor, contribute to the acoustic comfort. Massive wood, textiles, and greenery create a more intimate environment for meals or informal meetings.

The second zone, Lab Spot, is defined by a wavy dark red metal atypical table structure, which is also used for catering and simultaneously covers a rotating presentation LED screen. In the center, there is a “Christmas tree”, more precisely, an evergreen holly, whose shape allows it to be sustainably used every year. Along the edge of this zone, lounge seating is arranged along a green strip.

The third zone, Open Air Cinema, is a wooden stage used for presentations during large events, but it can also be adapted for other uses of the space. On the edge of this zone, there is a Gaming Spot, where people can relax while playing video games in comfortable lounge seating.

The last, and perhaps the most popular zone, Stay & Play, is made up of a subtle steel structure with a circular floor plan, where exercise and play equipment are hung. The base is again a sports surface, and its design is intentionally the most dynamic. Employees can play basketball, relieve stress with a punching bag, or exercise on gymnastic rings or a pull-up bar. Swings and other games are especially used during children’s activities.

Greenery is an irreplaceable element of the design. Lush planting is concentrated in large containers made of solid wood and metal. The plant species were chosen so they would thrive and grow in the atrium environment, contributing to the thermal and acoustic comfort of the space.

Another important feature is the modularity and disassemblability of all elements – everything can be dismantled and relocated.