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GUTHAUS by Corwin

Category:

GREEN NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE AND ON GRADE PROJECTS

Project general details

Nominator

Investor

Supplier

Architect

CORWIN SK a.s.

CORWIN SK a.s.

MAN MADE LAND Bohne Lundqvist Mellier GbR (DE); ATR s.r.o (SVK)

CORWIN SK a.s.

Location (City)

GPS

Country

Region

Year of nomination

Bratislava

Slovakia

data

Europe

2024

Project specifications

Guthaus is a brownfield revitalization project focused on sustainability, energy efficiency, and the well-being of its residents. The project was developed in cooperation with four international architecture studios, including ManMadeLand, who were in charge of the landscape concept. As Bratislava suffers from the effects of climate change such as flash floods, long periods of drought, and loss of biodiversity, it was imperative to create a concept that can address these issues while also providing a high-quality living environment. The project contains more than 2800m² of intensive and extensive green roofs, playgrounds, and communal spaces, as well as a large rain garden. It can therefore not only support a variety of public life, but also significantly lower the local heat island effect, retain all the rainwater that falls in the area, and return it to the natural cycle.

Object type

Roof area (m2)

Year of completion

Project in operation?

public green space

2880

2022

YES

Project details

Innovation

The project is first of its kind in Slovakia to employ such a large-scale rain garden and green roof system. It has already won numerous awards, including the first ever Green Roof of the Year.

Maintenance

The project is being maintained by our company to ensure the highest level of care and environmental standards. We are continuing our work on the project by conducting research with local experts in order to increase the amount of biodiversity and make the most out of the green roofs. All data is being shared publicly in our Sustainability Report as a way to promote further development of green roofs in our country.

Project ecology

Apart from being a brownfield revitalisation project, we have also placed very high standards on material recycling. We are proud to say that 98% of the construction waste was diverted from the disposal and sent for further recycling. We have also selected deep underground recycling bins which have increased capacity, reduced smell and require less frequent emptying.

Biophilic design

The entire landscape is shaped in a way to divert water into a series of retention zones and rain gardens which return the water to the natural cycle. The facade of the building was in part designed to provide passive shading but also to provide space for the growth of balcony vines and other such plants. The project is covered with green roofs which also include a series of small insect hotels and will soon be supplemented with houses for birds and bats.

Users

The landscape, public park, playgrounds, rain gardens and all included areas are open to all citizens from the surrounding area. It is now being used as a relaxation spot, dog walking area, sports grounds, playgrounds and general meeting point for the local community.

Users

public

Source of funding description

Project Guthaus was developed by our private company, Corwin, with the landscape architecture, revitalisation and maintanence being fully covered by our own resources with no public funding.

Source of funding

private

Please describe aspects of the project contributing to sustainable urban development?

The project revitalises a former brownfield of a parquet factory, which was before covered in concrete. It has great connections to public transport, has its own bike rooms and cycling paths. It is therefore the ideal project when it comes to battling the dependence on individual car transport. The amount of greenery on the project is also 50% higher than dictated by national norms. During the revitalisation, we have discovered a World War I bunker, which was renewed and maintained despite being permitted for demolition.

How the project contributes to climate adaptation?

The collection of green roofs, rain gardens and 14 000 m2 of public park surrounding the project is crucial in battling the growing heat island in the city. Thermal measurements conducted last year prove that the roofs of the building can be 15 to almost 40 degrees Celsius cooler than traditional roofs of the nearby buildings and cool down much quicker after dusk. Moreover, the typology of greenery selected is climate resilient and should be well adapted to the increasingly hot and arid summers in the location. The rain gardens of Guthaus are one of the first of their kind in Slovakia and have already proved to be fully capable of dealing with the heaviest rains which otherwise often lead to floods in the city. Furthermore, the rain gardens are integrated into public play areas, thus providing benefits all year round.

How is the project supporting local biodiversity and urban ecosystems?

Originally, the land was intended to be used as ordinary residential property. However, after redesign by Corwin and ManMadeLand, the project was reduced in size, all the parking was moved underground and every possible roof space on the project is covered with green roofs. This includes the intensive green roof on the 9th floor, as well as extensive green roofs on top of the towers, garage entrances, communal shed and even the newly revitalised bunker from the first world war. All the flora was carefully selected in cooperation with Ing. Reháčková in order to be climate resilient, non-invasive, ensure year-round diverse sights and provide a variety of habitats for biodiversity. Currently, we are conducting research in cooperation with local university students to map the existing biodiversity two years after the project was finished. Furthermore, we are planning to introduce new homes for Swifts and Bats, which should further boost the biodiversity in this urbanized area.

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WORLD GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AWARD

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