Phase I of the Vydrica project has been shortlisted for the prestigious CE ZA AR 2026 Architecture Awards in the Residential Buildings category. Organised annually by the Slovak Chamber of Architects, the awards recognise the highest-quality architectural achievements in Slovakia.
A new urban neighbourhood that respects the past
The 25th anniversary edition of the competition carries the theme #architecturalpolicy, highlighting architecture as a social value and an important matter of public interest. This philosophy is also at the heart of the Vydrica project. From the outset, the ambition was not simply to deliver new homes, but to create a fully integrated urban neighbourhood that respects the site’s historic context while providing high-quality public spaces, vibrant streets and an environment designed for everyday life.
“We see this CE ZA AR nomination above all as recognition of the work of the architects, designers, partners and colleagues who have contributed to Vydrica. We are delighted that the expert jury has recognised a project whose ambition extends beyond creating high-quality buildings to delivering a new urban neighbourhood that naturally connects with Bratislava’s historic city centre and will become a vibrant part of it,” says Zoltán Müller, CEO of Lucron, the developer behind the Vydrica project.
Outstanding entries and strong competition
This year’s CE ZA AR awards attracted 83 submissions across six categories: Family Houses, Residential Buildings, Civic and Industrial Buildings, Interior, Exterior, and Architectural Phenomena. The expert jury selected 28 projects for the second round before awarding 21 nominations.
The CE ZA AR 2026 jury comprised architects with extensive professional experience in both Slovakia and abroad. In addition to reviewing the submitted documentation, the jury personally visited each shortlisted project on site as part of the evaluation process.
Recognition of a collaborative achievement
The architectural design for the first phase of Vydrica was created by COMPASS ARCHITEKTI, Šujan_Stassel, 2ka landscape architects and Marko & Placemakers. The project was also supported by a number of specialist partners, including Siebert + Talaš, Prokos, Aurex, BKU Bogár Králik Urban, and curator Barbora Šajgalíková.
The CE ZA AR 2026 nomination recognises the collective efforts of everyone involved in delivering the first phase of Vydrica. It confirms that high-quality architecture, thoughtful urban planning and a strong focus on public space can create a lasting and valuable addition to Bratislava’s urban environment.
The winners will be announced on 8 October 2026.
