Architect's View
City Gate – space, simplicity and elegance
If you are looking for somebody, who could help you with the renovation of your dream apartment in the City Gate, it could be for example Ing. arch. Katarína Schwarzová from the KFA studio. She has been dealing with the City Gate building for FINEP SK for a long time and knows it like hardly anybody.
What makes the City Gate building interesting for an architect?
The building was designed by the well-known architects Eugen Kramár and Štefan Lukačovič in the 1940s and completed after the war. However, the theatre part was finished not until 1955. The premises were not intended only for the bank. It should also serve as a seat of the Bratislava Stock Exchange and the Presidium of the National Bank. And apartments, shops, and a dramatic theatre should be situated there. The building forms an ending of the so-called “Bank Street” – today Gorkého Street.
What do you like about this building?
The building was originally designed as a multifunctional building with porous stone cladding. As Kramár himself stated in his memoirs, this was his first major project, in which he understood that “the building must arouse seriousness and trust among clients”. As a child, I had the opportunity to visit the building several times in the 1970s. I have always really liked the grandeur of the space, the clarity of the layout, and at the same time the thoughtfully designed interior, which is still relevant today. It should be recalled that the theatre and the bank were designed from the outside as one single unit, but they are independent buildings regarding its function and ground plan. In some areas you can still feel functionalism, but also socialist realism – stained glass with folklore motifs.
And what about the challenge?
Designing interiors in such an important space, it is not only a challenge, but also humility and respect for the past.
What kind of interior would you design in each apartment if you could move there yourself?
I assume that a client, who chooses an apartment in such an important building, has a relationship to simplicity and elegance and probably a bit to history as well. The requirements of the future apartment user must be respected. His or her ideas about living, habits, and expectations from space. I would suggest simplicity in furnishing the space allowing the space to distinguish itself and its genius loci. I think that even the walls have their past. Simplifying means eliminating the unnecessary.
What experience would you recommend to clients?
The interior of such apartments deserves a lot to think about. I would definitely recommend using quality and genuine materials, especially on the floors and built-in furniture. Finally, let me quote Roi James:
“Great design is all about detail. With an innovative choice of materials, sensible construction technology and modern aesthetics, you can create a unique design language that sets new standards.”
Thank you for your interest in meeting.
Your form has been successfully sent for processing. We will promptly get in touch with you. Have a nice day FINEP
Agreement to sending marketing and advertising information
By sending this form, I hereby confirm that the data filled by me concern my person and I grant my agreement to processing of the personal data provided by me in the scope specified in the form (i.e. particularly my name, surname, phone number, and e-mail address) for the marketing purposes of the below specified companies, including sending (or other form of contacting including telephone contacting) marketing information as well as subsequent business offers related to sale of real estates, services provided in connection with real estates, and solutions for funding of a group of real estates by means of electronic communication, SMS etc. in accordance with sec. 7 of the Act no. 428/2002 Coll., on personal data protection, as amended. I give my agreement exclusively to the company FINEP SK a.s., Jégeho 12, 821 08 Bratislava, Company Id. No.: 35 931 914, the company FINEP FS a.s., organisation unit, Jégeho 12, 821 08 Bratislava, Company Id. No.: 44 400 829, and the individuals working for them. The personal data provided by me shall not be used for any other purposes than those exclusively specified. I hereby grant my agreement voluntarily and for an indefinite period. I also declare that I am fully competent and eligible for giving my consent, and as a party concerned, I am hereby informed on my rights in accordance with section 20 of the Act on personal data protection, particularly that I am entitled to request correction of incorrect, incomplete or obsolete personal data, or their cancellation, provided the purpose of their processing has been fulfilled or law has been breached, and I am entitled to withdraw my agreement with processing of my personal data in cases when their processing does not result from law, in written form sent to the address of the company FINEP SK a.s. or the company FINEP FS a.s., organisation unit.
CITY GATE s.r.o. with registered office at Nám. SNP 478/19 811 01 Bratislava, company ID number: 3583026, registered in the Commercial Register kept with the District Court in Bratislava I, insert 3576/B, Section: Sa.
© 2022 CITY GATE s.r.o. | All information and visualisations in the website are unbinding and serve for informative purposes only.
We process your personal data in compliance with the GDPR.
About cookies.