Footbridge, Žilina, Slovakia

Architects: 2021, LABAK
Text: Eszter Götz 
Photos: Jana Makroczy

Originally, the local government aimed to construct an observation tower at Straník, as the hill offers an exceptional view of Žilina – an 80 thousand industrial city in the Northwest Slovakia. Since the 1930’s the hill of Straník has been used for flying gliders. In a favorable weather, one can enjoy the view as well observe rogallos, paragliders and gliders taking off. Local authorities therefore initiated a workshop at the site, which brought together architects (2021 and LABAK), students of architecture and all stakeholders. The outcome of this gathering generated a consensus, that the idea of constructing a lookout tower at Straník should be reconsidered. Instead of introducing new elements, 2021 and LABAK mapped the existing infrastructure – the pathway, provisional shelter and the bench and translated it into contemporary architectonic language.

Architects: Peter LÉNYI, Ondrej MARKO, Marián LUCKÝ – 2021 Architekti; Michal MARCINOV, Andrej BADIN, Zuzana DEMOVIČOVÁ – LABAK Architekti
Contractor: SOAR