Nominator: Zuzana Pastirčák Duchová

Nominator's statement

Garad is a Slovak architectural atelier known for its thoughtful and contextual approach to both new design and adaptive reuse. The studio’s portfolio spans from industrial-heritage conversions to residential projects and inventive interiors — always with respect for materiality, typology and place. Among the landmark projects by Garad is the winning design of the 2021 competition for the headquarters of Magna Energia, where Garad re-imagined a former industrial complex: preserving its structural legacy while introducing sensitive new interventions. The project progressed through documentation, interior design and realization between 2021 and 2024.
Garad’s work frequently involves conversion, transformation, and respectful reconnection of existing fabrics — whether industrial, residential or community structures — into functional, contemporary spaces. The studio engages with material authenticity (brick, wood, concrete), structural honesty (expressed installations and construction), and sensitivity to context and history.
As a studio, Garad stands out for its ability to bridge tradition and modern demands, delivering architecture that acknowledges the past while answering present-day needs.

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NEW HEADQUARTERS OFMAGNA ENERGIA

The proposal emerged from an architectural competition. The project preserves the original workshop with its exposed structural elements, further replicates a historic urban villa oriented toward the street, and complements the complex with an extension made of recycled bricks and wooden CLT panels. The architecture naturally respects the original urban structure and creates an intimate courtyard that connects the old with the new. The interior is dominated by a combination of concrete, brick, and wood, resulting in an authentic space. The building is characterized by visual connections, habitable terraces, and intimate corners that reflect the company’s values — family spirit, transparency, and community.

MEŠTIANSKA

A historic townhouse found new life through a program combining rentable ground-floor offices with a private attic loft. The design builds on the building’s generous layout, crafted details, and distinctive attic space, aiming primarily to preserve its authentic atmosphere. The ground floor follows a clear functional scheme — expressed through high-quality materials such as terrazzo, wooden parquet, paneled doors, and traditional windows. Exposed concrete ceilings and subtle brass details reveal contemporary interventions while referencing the house’s history.
In contrast to the restrained ground floor, the attic loft is conceived as an open, playful living environment organized around a built-in volume containing storage and sanitary facilities. The timber roof structure is the dominant feature, complemented by a blue steel frame, ivory-toned cabinets, stainless-steel elements, and soft seating. Integrated lighting, concealed storage, and compact technical solutions maintain a clean spatial expression, while the minimalist bathroom — defined by white tiles, stainless steel, and a dark green floor — completes the composition.

INTERIOR OF THE GUTHAUS APARTMENT

The brief was to design the interior of an apartment in a new residential complex for a young guy. A small studio apartment, as a solid first home. The developer’s proposed layout didn’t suit the new owner. The room was split in the middle by a partition wall, and the night zone and day zone were both stealing space from each other near the window.
The entire living area is placed closest to the facade to make the best use of daylight, and on nice days it extends onto the balcony. In the center of the apartment, we placed a kitchen island with seating as the main hub. Deeper into the room are the sleeping and work areas, and at the far end an open wardrobe that also functions as the entry hall. The wardrobe is separated from the rest of the apartment by a sliding wall with translucent polycarbonate—enclosing the space without cutting it off.
The built-in furniture is made from an open metal structure, including the kitchen. For storage, we used plastic boxes/crates in two colors to complement and enliven the space. Materials and surfaces follow a unified color palette: black, red, grey, and white. The whole interior is energized by unconventional linear lighting and greenery in the form of indoor plants.

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