Library of the Catholic University in Ružomberok – a playful approach to industrial architecture shows the direction of modern Slovak urbanism

The Catholic University in Ružomberok was established in 2000, following numerous discussions about where the new education center should be located. Although Trnava had the argument that a university existed there as early as the 17th century and Košice could draw on the tradition of the Jesuit college, Ružomberok was ultimately preferred. The city used to be an important financial and industrial center, but during the socialist era, it fell to the margins. The urbanism and architecture here is marked not only by this era but also by the lack of conceptual solutions in construction activities over the last twenty years, with one of the major shortcomings being the absence of a square as a central space for city life.

The university means not only an asset to education, science, and culture for the city, but it also provides an opportunity for contemporary aesthetic and functional architecture. The campus is gradually being built with the aim of creating a thoughtful urban complex that includes public space, which is missing in Ružomberok. The overall concept draws from the industrial tradition of the site and aligns with the current university complex. It has freed itself from the existing architectural provincialism and shows the direction in which the urban development of the city could evolve.

A very successful building, completed at the end of last year, is the local library. The project authors, Ing. arch. Stanislav Šutvaj (a02 atelier) and Ing. Ján Potoma (A-Projekt), won the competition announced in 2006 with their design, and construction began in 2011. Their project effectively connects all the required functions – the library is a modern and confident building serving both the university and the public. It fits into the concept of already constructed campus buildings, proportionally relates to the individual wings of the university, and its construction of cantilevered blocks allows for further integration with future construction on the site.

The result is a multifunctional center serving not only the university as a library and archive but also hosting public lectures, a café, and a bookstore, along with social and cultural events. Engaging the public in the activities was one of the key objectives of the project, and it has been successful – the library, initially visited by two hundred people, now sees nine hundred visitors daily.

The building has an area of 9,000 m2 of usable space, of which about two-thirds is designated for the public. It can accommodate up to 700,000 books in archives and open collections. The building also includes study rooms, a rare volumes department, an archive, research rooms, and gallery spaces. The basic floor plan is L-shaped, open to the square.

The core of the building is a reinforced concrete skeleton and Ytong masonry. “Because a lightweight ceiling system and large ceiling heights were designed here, we looked for a material with low density for the partition walls. Ytong is the ideal solution for buildings with such requirements. In the project, we also took into account the speed and flexibility of working with autoclaved aerated concrete blocks. Because investors often pressure for a rapid construction process, it was necessary to use a material that can be handled quickly and allows for easy creation of grooves for electrical, heating, and plumbing installations. Finishing the final surface is also faster with autoclaved aerated concrete blocks, as fewer layers are proposed compared to brick materials,” says Ing. Ján Potoma from A-projekt Ružomberok about the choice of building material.

The exterior skin combines glazed surfaces and metallic cladding. The glazed exterior provides a glimpse into the happenings inside, enhancing the impression of a lively public space while also presenting a clearly organized, open floor space of the library. The detail of the colorful floors, which cast red, blue, and yellow shadows, adds a playful touch and a sense of design to the somewhat austere concept. Natural materials have also been applied in connection with the outdoor space – the entrance platform is made of cedar wood. The industrial feel is palpable in the interior as well – it incorporates exposed concrete, steel, glass, cement board ceilings, and industrial flooring.

The significance and contribution of the library are summed up by psychologist Jiří Dan, a distinguished professor at the Catholic University: “The establishment of a university library is undoubtedly a significant, long-awaited moment, an unmistakable milestone in the history of the Catholic University. It is contemporary and modern not only in the architectural solutions of the overall design of the building and interior but also in the services provided.”