Čeština
Bratislava, 1 October 2026 – The Architectura Danubii awards were presented for the first time in the Hall of Mirrors of the Primate’s Palace. Through them, the mayors of eight Slovak cities honoured architects who have shaped their cities for decades.
The award ceremony was the second part of an evening that opened with the launch of the publication Moderná architektúra Slovenska. [link to the book article] The evening was hosted by Martin Staňo. Guests included delegations from eight Slovak cities, Nora Vranová, Chair of the Slovak Chamber of Architects, Igor Teplan, Chair of the Society of Slovak Architects, and Thomas Vonier, President Emeritus of the International Union of Architects (UIA).
Thanking those who left their mark
The award honours outstanding figures of Slovak architecture for their life’s work and exceptional contribution to architecture, urbanism and heritage conservation. The idea emerged while the publication on modern Slovak architecture was being prepared. During consultations in the cities, the same names of architects who had fundamentally shaped their cities kept coming up, so the organisers decided to thank them publicly.
The host stressed that the award does not aim to compete with established and prestigious architecture awards in Slovakia. Its mission is to thank architects who have left a clear mark for future generations to build on. The award was born in Slovakia and will remain in Slovakia, but like the Danube, it will always reach beyond its borders. In the future, it aims to become a prestigious Central European award connecting the countries linked by the Danube. The Central European Foundation has also committed to this vision.
Why the Danube
Thomas Vonier noted that he had visited all eight cities during the preparations and that, in his words, Slovakia can be proud of remarkable architecture. He observed that the Central European region lacks an award that brings together architecture and heritage conservation. Its connection with the Danube gives the award a strong international character and makes it a contribution to presenting Slovak architecture in Europe and the world.
Prof. Vladimír Šlapeta explained why the award is “Danubian”. The Danube has long been Europe’s artery of communication, linking the cultures of East and West. Along the river, architecture developed from the cathedrals of southern Germany through Austrian Baroque, the silhouettes of Devín and Bratislava Castle and majestic Budapest, all the way to the vernacular architecture of the Carpathians and the delta at the Black Sea. He drew laughter from the hall with a memory of his father’s warning before his first trip to Slovakia: “Be careful, Bratislava has the Danube.”
Laureates
Award of the Mayor of Bratislava, Matúš Vallo
Ing. arch. Martin Kusý and Ing. arch. Pavol Paňák (Architekti BKPŠ)
“…for more than thirty years of joint architectural work that has significantly shaped contemporary Slovak architecture, and for the exceptional and consistently maintained quality of their work.”
Award of the Mayor of Banská Bystrica, Ján Nosko
Ing. arch. Rudolf Bizoň
“…for a lifetime of architectural work connected with Banská Bystrica, in particular the design of the Faculty of Law of Matej Bel University and the State Scientific Library, as well as other works through which he has long helped shape the city.”
Award of the Mayor of Košice, Jaroslav Polaček
Ing. arch. Martin Jerguš
“…for a significant lifetime contribution to the development of architecture and urbanism in Košice, in particular for co-authoring the new Master Plan and the reconstruction of Hlavná Street, and for his long-standing role as a respected figure of Košice architecture.”
Award of the Mayor of Nitra, Marek Hattas
Ing. arch. Tibor Zelenický
“…for many years of versatile work for the benefit of architecture and the urban development of Nitra, as an architect, city councillor and founder of the Nitra Architects’ Association.”
Award of the Mayor of Prešov, František Oľha
Akad. arch. Ing. Karol Gregor
“…for a lifetime of architectural work that shaped the city of Prešov and reached beyond its borders, and for many years of teaching.”
Award of the Mayor of Trenčín, Richard Rybníček
Ing. arch. Dušan Šimun
“…for a long-term contribution to the development of architecture and urban culture in Trenčín, for a creative and conceptual approach to shaping the urban environment, and for professional work in spatial planning and urban development.”
Award of the Mayor of Trnava, Peter Bročka
Ing. arch. akad. arch. Jozef Danák
“…for a lifetime of architectural work that has left an indelible mark on the historic centre of Trnava.”
Award of the Mayor of Žilina, Peter Fiabáne
Ing. arch. Ľudovít Kupkovič
“…for a lifetime of architectural and artistic work connected with Žilina, in which bold and distinctive architectural thinking blends uniquely with an artistic and photographic vision of the world.”
The ceremony was truly moving, and for some of the laureates it was a deeply emotional moment. The hall thanked them with long applause for their life’s work. And that was the main ambition of the award: to publicly honour people who have shaped their cities for decades. Our sincere thanks go to the cities that selected the laureates.
Looking ahead to 2027
The evening closed with a speech by the organiser Petr Ivanov, director of the International Festival of Architecture and Urbanism Architecture Week. He thanked the cities and announced the festival’s next major project in Slovakia. As part of the Year of Dušan Jurkovič, Architecture Week is preparing, above all, an exhibition at Bratislava Castle, opening on 4 May 2027.
Once again, we congratulate the laureates and thank them for their work.
