Public Escapades is a project that aims to enhance the natural areas along the Váh River, specifically the Aluvium and Trenčiansky Luh. Both riverside locations are currently undergoing revitalisation processes based on proposals developed through architectural competitions. The goal of these urban revitalisations is to create spaces for recreational and leisure activities with community elements and playgrounds, as well as areas for artistic interventions and community gatherings.
The Public Escapades project, developed by the WOVEN studio, includes four pavilions that will be created in pairs across these two locations. The pavilions are conceived as “jewels” within these public spaces. Functionally, they loosely reference urban furniture, but their purpose is not strictly defined or limited. The emphasis is placed on the contrast between the natural and the manipulated, with the material—highly polished stainless steel—chosen precisely as an expression of this contrast. The design language of the pavilions is inspired by the organic form of a freshwater river mussel shell, Unio crassus.
Unio Tectum
This pavilion takes the form of a shell supported by several slender columns, constructed from wide metal strips that interweave radially to create a porous roof structure. The openings allow light to pass through, while the steel strips also function as shading elements.
Unio Stibadium
A counterpart to Unio Tectum, together they conceptually form a closed shell. The roof becomes a seating object, expanding in a layered, scale-like manner towards the edges at varying heights and densities, creating a playful seating environment.
Unio Specus
Here, the shell is positioned vertically and functions as a backrest, screen, or partition. The contour-based growth transforms into a digital parameter controlling varying densities, incorporating curved structural ribs.
Unio Pendet
The fourth object combines previous approaches to organic geometry, using curved slender profiles reinforced with ribs to form a rounded, hoop-like structure with subtle topography and an open central space suitable for various activities.
Beyond their placemaking role and contribution to a distinct identity, the pavilions will host programme activities and artistic interventions. Educational activities, led by Fabrika Umenia, will focus on landscape architecture, architecture, art, and design, with an emphasis on placemaking and community building.
In September, the Unio Tectum and Unio Stibadium pavilions in the Aluvium will be temporarily complemented by interactive works by British artist Mahala Henry-Richards titled Remote Echoes and Echoes Expanded.
As the revitalisation of Trenčiansky Luh will be completed later, towards the end of 2026, the pavilions intended for that area—Unio Specus and Unio Pendet—will be temporarily installed in the Aluvium as well, where the accompanying programme will take place. During September 2026, they will host regular community events, providing a setting for audiovisual art interventions as well as dance, theatre, and literary performances.
