Base4Work Bratislava

In Bratislava, there are only a few buildings left with an industrial history. And even fewer have managed to adapt to the needs of today. However, this is not the case for the functionalist heating plant designed by architect Dušan Jurkovič. After a three-year reconstruction, it opened to the public as a modern coworking center, Base4Work.

The original mass with a new function
The Bratislava heating plant is a very specific space and has long sought a new function. The developer's vision was to create an inspiring and diverse working environment that provides a background for connecting various user groups—from corporate clients to startups and freelancers—all within the unique setting of a national cultural monument. The competitive advantage of coworking spaces often lies in their uniqueness, which is why the investor and architects from the Perspektiv studio decided to project the same idea into this industrial monument.

The reconstruction itself was conceived in such a way that the original parts remained visible and the imprint of Dušan Jurkovič was preserved as much as possible. However, the architects interpret Jurkovič's work in the spirit of the 21st century. "In the interior design of the coworking space, we perceived the context of the original monument and the new building. We sought to complement and connect with the space in terms of both style and geometry of the new elements. At the same time, we wanted it to be clearly recognizable which parts are new and which are original—we did not want to imitate the original work," say architects Ján Antal and Barbora S. Babocká.

A new five-story building was effectively placed within the internal space of the boiler and turbine halls, creating new areas. With respect for history, other industrial elements of the heating plant were also utilized—concrete hoppers dominate the entire interior, and the original crane forms an atypically open ceiling of the shared office. The architectural entrance in the form of a new structure is the work of DF Creative Group, while the restoration of the building's shell was carried out by Pamarch, a company specializing in the protection and reconstruction of monuments.

The heating plant comes to life
In total, the heating plant houses 3,900 m² of flexible workspaces with a capacity of approximately 450 seats. The architects worked with the same typology of workplaces as in the aforementioned coworking branch in Prague. They brought the concept of quality workspaces that reflect the authenticity of the environment.

The diverse variety also meets the needs of a wide range of users. Each floor features typologies such as fixed desks, hot desks, private offices, phone booths, workshop rooms, or meeting rooms with capacities ranging from four to 18 people. Clients can also use some community lounges, a representative meeting and networking zone throughout the day.

Folklore in a minimalist interpretation
The community center of the entire coworking space is the entrance zone on the second floor, which combines a hall with a café and workspaces. Perspektiv brings the extensive work of Dušan Jurkovič into the interiors through the application of graphic elements. Authorial motifs are inspired by the architect's handwriting and its evolution over time. The original decorative ornaments are decomposed by Perspektiv into fundamental elements such as lighting features on the walls or engraved cabinets.

The folk carpenter has been replaced by a CNC milling machine, and solid wood by natural fiberboard. "The craft quality and contemporary materials in their raw essence create a unifying motif across the different floors," adds architect Babocká. Steel structures are softened by perforation, creating an interesting historical contrast with references dating back to the early period of Jurkovič's work.

The transformation of the industrial monument into a comfortable workplace is also conditioned by suitable materials. The color palette draws from shades of terracotta, characteristic of the building's shell, complemented by muted deep tones of blue, green, or coal black. Ceilings remain open, while floors in common zones emphasize wood or large-format ceramic tiles.

A space only for the brave
The generosity of the space is highlighted by massive concrete hoppers that originally served to store solid fuels. The architects successfully managed to place some meeting rooms inside them. The most user-popular so far seems to be the pair of meeting rooms on the fifth floor. "Here we utilized the positioning and experimented with the glazing of parts of the floor. The result is an iconic space that everyone wants to see, even those who are afraid of heights," describes architect Antal.

The meeting rooms and private offices emphasize acoustics, ensured not only by carpets but also by wall coverings. As is customary for the authors, recycled and natural materials are used in this case as well. The environmentally friendly wall coverings this time come from recycled PET bottles from the company Re:felt. The boutique atmosphere of the entire interior is enhanced by a rooftop terrace with an adjacent bar. The building's complexity has been leveraged by the architects to create comfortable zones for clients in multiple places. The flexibility of the space is appreciated not only by the developer but also by the first tenants.

Part of the newly reconstructed space is DOT. Espresso Bar & Contemporary Art Gallery, an event space and restaurant from the Medusa gastronomy group. This important icon of Bratislava comes back to life, becoming a cultural epicenter and a valuable contrast to the modern architecture of the surrounding buildings. The new form of Jurkovič's heating plant has strengthened the significance of protecting original buildings through the reconstruction and confirmed that their preservation can be beneficial for investors.