ŠAFKO - in memoriam

Project

269923

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Submitted

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NEW EUROPEAN BAUHAUS AWARDS : existing completed examples

Project title

ŠAFKO - in memoriam

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ŠAFKO ALREADY DOESN'T EXIST. But - Šafko was a STARTER.  Šafko led to a MOVEMENT in a society - particularly in the City of Bratislava - people started to look at the public space in a different way - they started to love to use it. It nudged communities in sharing the space, in living outside their houses and flats. It helped to get people interested in politics and nowadays we have a new mayor coming from creative surroundings rapidly changing Bratislava to a really European city.

Where was your project implemented in the EU?

When was your project implemented?

Has your project benefited from EU programmes or funds?

Which programme(s) or fund(s)? Provide the name of the programme(s)/fund(s), the strand/action line as relevant and the year.

Please provide a summary of your project

ŠAFKO ALREADY DOESN'T EXIST. So why do we apply for the New European Bauhaus Prize? Because Šafko was a STARTER.  And Europe and our country in particular need such starters. We need to communicate about the projects that led to a strong change in society, in city politics, in the way we look at and use public space. Šafko - new and quick intervention in the very heart of the capital of Bratislava, in a forgotten, dark and dirty place - completely changed the spot. It changed the city, the atmosphere. Suddenly it was full of people of all generations, locals and tourists. A lot of networks happened. Café, local food, gallery, exhibitions of all kinds, recycling studio, bicycle workshop, fashion week, dancing lessons, base for volunteers in third world countries, eco workshops, concerts.....Everything what we know nowadays happened here 7-8 ago.  Then the newly elected local authorities cancelled the project. What happened? Cca 4000 people signed the petition to safe Šafko. Hundreds of support letters from local professionals and architects, big media covering, 2 courts against this decision (that we won)… all this effort did not save Šafko. But don 't be sad - it led to a movement in a society - particularly in the City of Bratislava - people started to look at the public space in a different way - they started to love to use it. It nudged communities in sharing the space, in living outside their houses. It helped to get people interested in politics together and now we have a new mayor coming from this surrounding and rapidly changing Bratislava to a really European city. Šafko was awarded an architectural prize with the international jury - CE-ZAAR 2015, got its place in the professional yearbook of architecture as an example of how architects should think about public space.  Yes, it was (sometimes still is) very hard and tiring, but it is still worth it. Thanks to Šafko, too. Šafko (2013 - 2015)

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met

Šafko was an intervention built from 11 shipping containers, including shared public space. Each container was rented to a particular, carefully choosen, community, NGO, enterpreneur or artist. This covered the diversity of topics, flexibility, positive clashes and networking and the most important thing - sustainability. We wanted to show that culture and creative industry is a strong partner in society and particular in the city, that in good combination it supports itself and on top - it helps the city in social way as well. It revealed the need for a quality vision, concept, creation of opportunities and sustainable projects and, above all, the need to communicate openly about the city's public spaces. It brought the city the much-needed authentic energy of the current generation.  Šafko was a quick intervention in the very heart of the capital of Bratislava, in a forgotten, dark and dirty place. It completely changed the spot. It changed the city, the atmosphere. Suddenly it was full of people of all generations, locals and tourists. A lot of networks happened. Café, local food, gallery, exhibitions of all kinds, recycling studio, bicycle workshop, fashion week, dancing lessons, base for volunteers in third world countries, eco workshops, concerts. Šafko is a quick and effective solution to the problems of a given inanimate place in a sustainable concept - it supports the creative industry, local quality products and non-governmental organizations with an impact on public benefit. The benefit of the work is clearly in providing opportunities for active, talented people, as well as a fresh presentation of Slovak design and innovative potential of the country to both locals and visitors.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience beyond functionality and how these have been met

Šafko has created a new place on the map of Bratislava. The project, which includes a terrace in the treetops, was created from a modular system - recycled discarded shipping containers. At Šafko were used components and materials to which the architect deliberately assigns another function. The result is well-being, playfulness, the joy of creating inspiring recipients for further interaction. Unfortunately, the senseless intervention of the newly elected local authorities of the Bratislava Old Town municipality ended its meaningful existence before it was able to fully start and really develop its potential.  In that short time, it showed that the architect correctly assessed the needs of the city, defined the potential of the area and set the concept of the project.  It revealed the need for a quality vision, concept, creation of opportunities and sustainable projects and, above all, the need to communicate openly about the city's public spaces. It brought the city the much-needed authentic energy of the current generation.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion and how these have been met

There was a mix of function. This was essential. We actively worked with local NGO's (such as Vagus) working with homeless people, we started to cooperate, to give those people jobs, they started to be the part of our project. We involved all the generations, Šafko started to be a meeting point for children and seniors, for the whole families. Shortly said - it was made for everyone. Also the cultural events were made that way. Café, local food, gallery, exhibitions of all kinds, recycling studio, bicycle workshop, fashion week, dancing lessons, base for volunteers in third world countries, eco workshops, concerts - a lot of public events happened here in cca 1,5 year. Šafko with its architecture, mixture of functions, carefully choosen cooperations, education and cultural events managed to fulfill the mission of inclusion.

Please give information on the results/impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for

Šafko has created a new place on the map of Bratislava. Šafko regenerated by a quick and thoughtful intervention in the very heart of the capital of Bratislava, in a forgotten, dark and dirty place - completely changed the spot. It changed the city, the atmosphere. Suddenly it was full of people of all generations, locals and tourists. A lot of networks happened. Café, local food, gallery, exhibitions of all kinds, recycling studio, bicycle workshop, fashion week, dancing lessons, base for volunteers in third world countries, eco workshops, concerts.....Everything what we know nowadays happened here 7-8 ago.  Even though Šafko no longer exists - it led to a movement in a society - particularly in the City of Bratislava - people started to look at the public space in a different way - they started to love to use it. It nudged communities in sharing the space, in living outside their houses. It helped to get people interested in politics together and now we have a new mayor coming from this surrounding and rapidly changing Bratislava to a really European city. It revealed the need for a quality vision, concept, creation of opportunities and sustainable projects and, above all, the need to communicate openly about the city's public spaces. It brought the city the much-needed authentic energy of the current generation.  Šafko is a quick and effective solution to the problems of a given inanimate place in a sustainable concept - it supports the creative industry, local quality products and non-governmental organizations with an impact on public benefit. The benefit of the work is clearly in providing opportunities for active, talented people, as well as a fresh presentation of Slovak design and innovative potential of the country to both locals and visitors.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project

The place - dark and dirty - started to be safe. It was suddenly full of of people of all generations, full of culture and events. Neighbours started to talk to each other, to get to know each other.  I t brought the city the much-needed authentic energy. t changed the city, the atmosphere. Suddenly it was full of people of all generations, locals and tourists. A lot of networks happened. Café, local food, gallery, exhibitions of all kinds, recycling studio, bicycle workshop, fashion week, dancing lessons, base for volunteers in third world countries, eco workshops, concerts.....Everything what we know nowadays happened here 7-8 ago.  Šafko was an inspiration how to use our city, how to be active, how to change the things. A lot of thing that happens now in our city is because of this project.

Please highlight the innovative character of the project

It was 2013. A group of professionals knew what city needs. Where are "dead" places with potential. How to use the potential in a short way, by quick and effective interventions. Shipping containers are just a tool to achieve the goal. There is just one goal - to make the city livable. To help the creative industry, to help local artists, to help the public space to show its potential. Nowadays we know that it worked. And a lot of activities that happens now have their source in Šafko. Innovative approach by an architect and other professionals was in a way of thinking outside their granted jobs. They put all the effort, energy and budgets to make their dream happen. And they really helped to transform it.

Please explain how the project led to results or learnings which could be transferred to other interested parties

In that short time (2013-2015), it approved that the architect correctly assessed the needs of the city, defined the potential of the area and set the concept of the project.  Šafko gave us testimony of how important it is for local government representatives to respect the professional public and to communicate with representatives of active organizations and communities. It revealed the need for a quality vision, concept, creation of opportunities and sustainable projects and, above all, the need to communicate openly about the city's public spaces. It brought the city the much-needed authentic energy of the current generation.  Šafko is a quick and effective solution to the problems of a given inanimate place in a sustainable concept - it supports the creative industry, local quality products and non-governmental organizations with an impact on public benefit. The benefit of the work is clearly in providing opportunities for active, talented people, as well as a fresh presentation of Slovak design and innovative potential of the country to both locals and visitors. It led to a movement in a society - particularly in the City of Bratislava - people started to look at the public space in a different way - they started to love to use it. It nudged communities in sharing the space, in living outside their houses. It helped to get people interested in politics.  Šafko was definitely a source of inspiration.

Is an evaluation report or any relevant independent evaluation source available?

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that the proposed project has not been proposed for the Awards more than once under the same category and that it has not been subject to any type of investigation, which could lead to a financial correction because of irregularities or fraud.