The ARCH 2009 award was won by the reconversion of a water tower into a studio

The ARCH Award is a prestigious architecture award, awarded since 1998 by the influential professional magazine ARCH on architecture and other culture, which has been published by Eurostav Publishing, Ltd. since 2006. The purpose of the award is to highlight remarkable works from the domestic architectural scene and thus contribute to its further cultivation. The ARCH Award has a high professional credit, which ensures the participation of top European architects in the jury. Unlike other architectural competitions, the ARCH Award cannot be applied for. Nominations for the ARCH Award are made annually by the editorial board of the magazine, composed of prominent figures from the Slovak and Central European architectural scene.

A decision on the ARCH Award 2009 was made by an international jury consisting of: Aleš Burian (Czech Republic), Andrej Hrausky (Slovenia), Henrieta Moravčíková (editor-in-chief of the magazine ARCH), Shane O'Toole (Ireland) on September 24 and 25, 2009. The jury evaluated eight architectural works nominated for this year's award by the magazine's editorial board. These were: The House of Mourning in Modra, The Tower - Ateliér A-BKPŠ in Bratislava, The Multifunctional Building Needle in Zvolen, The Falkensteiner Hotel in Bratislava, House H in Košice, The Renovation of the Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation of the Lord in Nová Lesná, The University Library and Pastoral Center of UKF in Nitra, and The Residential Building with Amenities in Bratislava.

Laureate of the ARCH Award 2009
The Tower - Ateliér A-BKPŠ in Bratislava
Architects: Martin Kusý, Pavol Paňák, collaboration: Mária Kusá, Jana Paňáková, Martin Kusý Jr.

From the jury's evaluation:
"Such kinds of decommissioned industrial buildings are usually perceived as a problem because most people think they need to be demolished. However, demolition is expensive. In this particular case, its unique surroundings would also be disrupted, which would be a terrible shame. The access to the tower is beautifully narrow and winding because the trees on the site were not cut down. Everything about this project demonstrates respect and keen judgment, not only in relation to architectural heritage, but also to the environment. This refreshing approach—that existing environments should be touched with maximum lightness—is too rare in contemporary architecture, so the architects deserve great recognition. Bravo!" (Shane O'Toole)

"It is an extraordinary project. The very idea of making an office in an old water tower is great. The true success, however, lies in the way it was done." (Aleš Burian)

"The water tower is typical industrial architecture, and usually when it stops serving its purpose, we don't know what to do with it. Here, it is a very good new use, a use that no one would expect. For me, it is a very good example of how to deal with such a building." (Andrej Hrausky)

"The importance of this project lies in showing how to read the potential of old buildings or urban situations and design a future positive development for them. The conversion of the former water tower is an excellent example of how one can think about old industrial buildings, but not just about them, how to discover and utilize the amazing energy they possess. The way the architects worked with the original structure is a demonstration of respect for old things. It is an exemplary model. And that is what I would consider the strongest message of this work in relation to the public." (Henrieta Moravčíková)