Design & Execution Project , Project management / 2 762, 98 m² net floor area / 7 floors / 52 flats / energy class A0
At the entrance to the city center, you are welcomed by a democratic façade:
The building at Masarykova 51 in Michalovce forms a distinctive landmark at the city’s gateway. Its façade was designed to communicate the conversion of the former Chempik building through a rhythm that combines regularity within irregularity, maintaining a harmonious structure of windows and balconies. This approach distinguishes the building from the uniformity of panel structures and introduces a new architectural impulse into the urban environment. The color concept was carefully chosen to harmonize with the surroundings, including the residential zone, the basilica, and the villas along Masarykova Street, creating a cohesive and dignified image upon entering Michalovce. Attention to detail extends into the public spaces surrounding the building — from lighting to entrance areas.
Simple, elegant, and for everyone.
The apartment layouts were designed with a focus on meeting the needs of discerning clients, with each unit unique in its concept. The combination of generous windows and diverse balcony compositions creates spaces that sensitively reflect the individual preferences and lifestyles of future residents. The guiding principle of the conversion was to maximize natural light through open entry zones, minimize corridor spaces, and strategically position kitchens along façades with the most attractive views. This concept consciously departs from standardized panel-block typologies, offering spatial freedom complemented by high ceilings and refined proportions. Each apartment is the result of careful design, merging aesthetic quality with functionality to appeal to clients who value individuality and refined design.
During the conversion, we chose to preserve and reuse the massive travertine flooring in the entrance area, which was dismantled from the original structure and reinstalled as wall cladding. Travertine — a traditional material of Slovak public buildings from the 1970s and 1980s — is characterized by its porous texture, natural tones, and timeless elegance. Through this gesture, we were able to retain, restore, and integrate an authentic element of the old building into the new architecture.
The façade of the building at Masarykova 51 is a deliberate interplay of vertical and horizontal lines, bringing rhythm and structure to its design. Every element — from windows and balconies to vertical divisions — is carefully composed, resulting in a harmonious composition and diverse light conditions in the interiors, responding to the orientation, height, and character of each layout.
©albaghuba
