An urban and architectural design for the transformation of the Handlová Mine complex into an industrial open-air museum showcasing the history of mining in Handlová.
The starting point of this urban and architectural competition entry was the brief to transform a portion of the Handlová Mine complex into a mining open-air museum featuring a mining railway and various cultural, artistic, and social zones. The transformation focuses on providing public access to the main operational mining building, which is designed to house a visitor program consisting of a permanent mining exhibition, visitor facilities, and a unique "mining station." This station will serve as the departure point for mining trains heading into accessible sections of the mine galleries and the grand underground hall known as "Basalt." The museum's functionality will be further enhanced by facilities for artistic activities within the main building, as well as outdoor public gathering and relaxation areas, and an open-air exhibition of mining machinery and related structures. The site will be completed with outdoor sports grounds and dedicated spaces for the exhibition of artworks.
Our design of the open-air museum’s masterplan began by considering the significance of individual operational buildings and outdoor spaces. The most vital elements are the mine itself with the entry adit, the mining railway with its station, and the main mining operations building featuring its iconic chain locker rooms. The transformation of these structures is closely linked to their new functions. Since the industrial aesthetic of the site holds sufficient inherent value, there is no need to create a distinct new design language. Instead, the focus of the modifications, transformation, and modernization will be on the spatial and operational characteristics of the buildings and their technical parameters.
The entry point to the complex will be the former hayloft. Located near the original main entrance and driveway, it is part of a cluster of buildings surrounding a small plaza, along with the existing administrative building, the power plant, and the valley station of the ropeway and sorting plant. Given its smaller scale, it is perfectly suited for its future purpose as an entrance information center. The building will facilitate ticket and souvenir sales and serve as a waiting area before entering the museum grounds. In addition to the information desk and client contact point, it will include sanitary facilities for guests and artists performing in the plaza area.
The buildings around the entrance plaza—the coal-fired power plant and the ropeway valley station—will be modified only to the extent necessary to ensure safe public access. These will be treated as architectural "exhibits" within the museum, where visitors can explore and spend time observing historic technological equipment, accompanied by an explanation of their essential roles in the mine's operation. We propose maintaining the current function of the administrative building as corporate office space, while serving as a spatial reserve for the future—it could, for instance, be converted into a hotel.
The main mining operations building will be transformed into the museum’s primary hub, featuring visitor facilities for mine entry, a children's zone, a library, and a section dedicated to fine arts workshops. As shown in the floor plans, the transformation of the main building will be quite complex. However, it will not undergo a complete reconstruction that would alter its character; rather, it will involve thoughtful repairs, the integration of modern MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systems, and layout adjustments that add a new modern layer to the building. This layer will build upon the original character, complementing it without "overwriting" the design.
In addition to the buildings, public spaces will also undergo transformation. This includes a sports complex in the southern part of the site and the railway loop area with a city viewpoint, located at the site of the former railway hopper. These areas will be cleared of unwanted steel structures. Based on an assessment of their condition, the surfaces will be repaired to create a blend of original historic flooring and new materials, rather than entirely new surfaces. The existing paved areas, mostly concrete and cobblestones, will be supplemented with new light brushed concrete with a non-slip finish or high-quality, large-format light concrete pavers. The spaces will be furnished with outdoor elements such as simple concrete planters, bespoke leisure seating, benches, waste bins, shelters, bicycle parking structures, public lighting, and a site-wide graphic information system. The character of each public space will be tailored to its function, varying slightly between the sports area, the industrial exhibit zone within the railway loop, the station in front of the main building, the "art alley" by the power plant, and the entrance plaza by the information center.
The essence of our proposal is the idea of complexity—preserving multiple interrelated mining operational buildings and opening them to the public in a logical functional mix. The proposed complex has enough potential for visitors to spend an extended period of time there. Beyond the mine tour and the exhibition in the main building, visitors can discover the "exhibits" of the power house and ropeway station, utilize the sports complex, relax in the entrance plaza, view the technical equipment within the railway loop, admire artworks leading to the main building, or enjoy the park on the hill overlooking the site.
PHA + TRIJA
Braňo Hovorka, Martin Paulíny, Jaroslav Janek, Rado Krajňak, Karol Ličko
competition design
2024
The site is located in the southwestern part of Handlová, at the foot of the Vtáčnik Mountains, and is directly connected to the original mine galleries. It is a closed industrial zone of the city with several pedestrian and vehicular access points. From an urban planning perspective, it is separated from the center of Handlová by the railway station, although pedestrian access to the zone is possible via an overpass. The total area of the complex spans 22 hectares, with 5 hectares designated for the development of the open-air museum.
The Handlová Mine complex and its buildings represent a unique industrial monument of its era; nothing similar will ever be built again. It is truly one-of-a-kind due to its method of mine entry via mining trains and its technical landmarks, which together embody more than a century of coal mining history in Handlová.
