Green Square / Urban Interventions + Vallo Sadovský Architects

Courtesy of Urban Interventions + Vallo Sadovský Architects

The “Urban Interventions” civic association, in collaboration with the Vallo Sadovský Architects studio, have prepared an instant urban intervention under a bridge. The situation in regard to quality of the environment at the bus terminal under the New Bridge in Bratislava has been bad for a long time. People have to wait for their bus connections in a totally unsuitable area, and we consider it a disgrace that the city of Bratislava leaves its citizens and tax-payers to function in such an inadequate environment. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Courtesy of Urban Interventions + Vallo Sadovský Architects

The characteristics of this place directly affect the mood and behavior of its users, and several disturbances and conflicts have happened here in the past. It is difficult to understand how such an area, only a few meters from a historic square, has remained unnoticed by city officials and for a long time practically unchanged.

Courtesy of Urban Interventions + Vallo Sadovský Architects

Although Green Square is an instant “intervention”, the cheapest fix, it is also by its “loudness” both a provocation and a call for a more serious approach to this problematic site. It is not only the cheapest method but also simultaneously the most visible attempt to change the atmosphere under the bridge, and to highlight the dysfunctional environment that everyone accepts out of habit.

plan

We painted an area of about 1,000 m2 with green road paint. The painting was done with standard material that is used for road surface markings, and road safety glass beads were also applied to the surface to provide reflectivity and prevent slipping. The second part of the design concept, this time graphic, was created by graphic designer Ondrej Gavalda using adhesive tape that was painted over and then peeled off.