Output details

Site of Autonomous Connection

What role and form could ‘Speakers Corner’ take in a post-communist, East European city? A nontraditional architectonic solution aimed to encourage communication between city inhabitants and institutions, and to create an unconventional space for presenting art in the heart of the city. This book documents the process of the design, including our design for the workshop - which was a catalyst for the architectural/sculptural output.

This initiative was preceded by a group workshop involving students of Architecture, Design and Fine Art, facilitated by Justin Carter and Robert Mantho (Glasgow School of Art). The results of this collaborative, cross-disciplinary workshop were incorporated into a physical design ‘Platform’, by KOD architects. Two variable tapers and a movable stage became a part of Hlavná ulica in Košice.

British Council, IC Cultural Train and the association of architects KOD collaborated with the students of architecture and art, along with the project team of Košice's candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2013, and created a project known as the British Council Creative Environment.

"It was important to find partners with experience in this sphere. Collaboration with British instructors, who have ample experience in similar projects, proved most beneficial. They played a substantial role in forming the central theme of the project in the subject area of architecture and socially committed art. They also assured top-class tutoring for the workshops," stated Martin Uhrík, one of the architects from KOD association.

Conference Paper

Mantho, R. and Carter, J (2009) “Site of Autonomous Connection” Design Connexity 2009. In: “Site of Autonomous Connection”.