Architect Matúš Vallo is well-known for his own studio but also because he initiated several projects dealing with public urban space; the most prominent being Urban Interventions. Two and a half years ago he assembled a team of professionals from various fields concerned with city management. Together the team wrote the book, Plan Bratislava. The analyses and proposals included in this book were used as a basis for Matúš Vallo’s current campaign to become the mayor of Bratislava.

The petition demanding that the American Institute of Architects (AIA) forbids design of spaces for “killing, torture, or brutal, inhumane and humiliating treatment” – specifically death chambers and solitary confinements employed in US prisons – has triggered a groundswell of controversies. AIA refused to change its ethical code at the end of 2014, arguing that it’s not meant to “create limitations of members’ activities according to specific building types”. The discussion still goes on: AIA has been considering the reassessment of its attitude since February.

DRN is a new mixed-use building erected on the prominent corner of Národní and Mikulandská streets in the centre of Prague. There'd previously been a parking lot on the site, since 1966. It is adjoined by the baroque Schönkirch Palace. By combining the Palace with a new contemporary building, a mixed-use “palace” with a courtyard, shops, restaurants and offices was created. The intermingling of the baroque world with the modern, the old with the new; those are the main motifs that permeate the project and can be found in the main structural elements as well as small parts of the interior.

Surely there are nations in the World that would like Czechoslovakia to continue to lead such a passive life in terms of economy. Surely many people would still like us to use the same methods, to take care of small things and postpone big ones. Surely someone would benefit from it if we were scared to take responsibility, if we’d rather mend unemployment with pittance, if we’d patch leaky laws with laws equally leaky...

Pustevny is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Beskydy Mountains. Its attractiveness is mainly due to a group of buildings built in the traditional “folk secession” style, designed by architect Dušan Jurkovič and built completely from wood in the late 19^th century. Today, inappropriate use and insufficient infrastructure are serious issues here. Last August, the new exit station of the cableway was opened, replacing the original and unsuitable facility, offering an open restaurant with panoramic views. The contemporary building of stone, wood and glass had to meet the client’s demands as well as those of heritage conservation and nature protection agencies. It’s considered the first step in the transformation of the whole area, which will include a new design of public spaces according to a single manual, among other things.