RELAXX sport and leisure center / AK2

Jan 2009

Architects: AK2
Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Designers: Andrea Klimková, Peter Kručay
Project Year: 2008
Site Area: 5,418 sqm
Construction Area: 9,271 sqm
Photographs: Andrea Klimková, Ľubo Stacho

Einsteinova Road is probably the most frequented artery in Bratislava, situated misfortunately, like a big cut through Petržalka town quarter. But some architects show us it is possible to refine such a busy enviroment. The new RELAXX Sport Centre enters the rush locality, harmonizes and directs the noise and chaos. This house is like a sculpture symbolizing the beauty of restlessness and the poetics of velocity.

Long awaited final look of the building that stands in the row of previous experiments in designing commercial architecture of high standard design on the narrow and complicated plots between the highway ring of the city and the old train railway is visible to the panoramatic views on the right bank of the Danube river. The tension to produce a piece of contemporary architecture was strong also due to the fact the adjacent Atrium building was a building of the year in local architectural competitions. The reply to this challenge is successful in providing a smart and light weighted version of the sport and wellness centre that seemingly contrasts the gravity rules. Standing on naked concrete legs and being still in a frozen movement of its elevated horizontal body the objects plays a role of a new attractor to the site. It offers two way views – both to its unusual form wrapped in metallic skin and from its inner wellness zones and swimming pools situated on elevated levels outside towards the historical panorama of the city on the oher bank of the river. Difficult situation ended up in brave architectural gesture.

: site plan

: section

: diagram

13 comments »

Ceno says:

1. The shapes looks like a giant centipede :p
2. I don’t see any interior of the building
3. Interesting one actually

# January 8, 2009 at 20:37

Powkey says:

A simple building. Yet, has tremendous impact.

# January 8, 2009 at 21:03

Benjamin says:

Lovely design… almost reminiscent of the escalators that travel up the side of Richard Rogers, Center Pompidou but just blow up too massive proportions and transformed into a building :)
Its certainly very effective anyhow…

# January 8, 2009 at 21:32

Neil says:

Where’s the sport and leisure?

# January 8, 2009 at 21:33

Andrei says:

Love this one. It doesn’t really look like a sports & leisure center, but leaving that aside, i think it fits perfectly within the site. Simple and dynamic, a clear result of the correct interpretation of the surroundings.

# January 9, 2009 at 03:52

Richie says:

I really like the clarity of expression of the external form and it seems to sit well in its context. Would like to see some interior shots.

# January 9, 2009 at 09:47

paolo says:

here, you can see some interior photos. but only few. http://www.factorypro.sk/

# January 9, 2009 at 16:18

João says:

loved it… simple and effective… nice impact in the city…

# January 9, 2009 at 23:36

Aliu says:

here you can find more photos http://www.relaxx.sk/

# January 10, 2009 at 10:04

Frantik says:

Yes, it is surely nice…. physicaly comfortable, but it was more beautiful, when they gave wood ground under the apron, wood fits better with these shapes
But in the view of attendance buildind is empty, without the car difficult to reach, open hours 10-20, only specific customers…..
vyth lots of money? ;-)

# January 25, 2009 at 18:59

Joshua says: