photography by Jakub Gulyas
We sat down with Bratislava based architect and art lover Alan Prekop to talk about sustainability, inspirations and why he always ends up in the kitchen as his favourite room.
Alan, tell us a bit about yourself.
I am 30 years old, I live in Bratislava. I am an architect but I also play in band.
Purist. Bad Karma Boy. I love music, art and good food.
When you were a child did you always want to become an architect?
No, when I was little, I had a lot of energy, so I used it for sport which has kept me busy until this day. I did a lot of sports but stayed loyal to baseball for the longest. By the end of my high school years however, I needed to decide what’s next for me and found myself in a community of architects which influenced me heavily. In 6 months I learned how to draw, re-caped the history of art and went to try my luck at university. Luckily, they accepted me to enroll that year.
Can you tell us about the flat or house you grew up in?
My father was also an architect but I never got to know him. He left us when I was little. But I can remember that we have always lived in pretty interiors. First it was my father’s house which he designed himself in the best 90’s fashion. I still remember the kitchen table in moraine black wood with tiles on top. My father was crazy like this and I have definitely inherited this…
Later on, we lived at my grandma´s who lived in a gorgeous family house which was designed and built by my granddad, who was also an architect and whom I also never met as he passed away before I was even born. So I guess architecture was a path I’ve chosen due to all this.
How would you describe your signature style?
Not sure if I have a signature style for design – my taste and preferences always change and I love to experiment. I try to promote raw materials, natural colours, and expose their structure; raw wood, concrete, steel, etc. to which I add some colourful accents.
“In my latest project, I used old material and managed to reycycle used steel, wood, and stone and gave them a second chance.”
Are you concerned about environmental and social sustainability in your designs? And what role does green architecture play into your work?
In my latest project, I tried to use old material and managed to reycycle used steel, wood, and stone, which would otherwise be thrown away. Luckily I used it wisely for interiors and gave it a second chance.
What is your favorite room in your home?
My favourite room is without a doubt the kitchen. I love to cook and host people at mine, but even if it is just a simple party or afterparty, we always end up in the kitchen behind the bar which is the best place to hang out and drink until dawn.
Who inspires you?
Everything – friends, family, my surroundings.. When I find myself being stuck, I tend to discuss it with someone over a glass of wine to expand my horizon. Especially if these people are not architects and tell me their layman and practical opinion which always opens my eyes for something new and drives me forward. Architects tend to overthink little things which limits their input and… well, themselves, so a healthy bucket of self-reflection is sometimes needed.
What books or magazines do you have on your bedside table?
C-Heads (smiles) or cooking and art books
What’s the last movie you watched?
JOJO RABIT
Any place we should visit as an architecture and design lover in Bratislava?
I suggest to visit the Slovak radio station building with its iconic construction which is an upside down pyramid with a steel frame. The Slavin, from which you have the best view over my hometown; and the Crematorium which is the most beautiful construction in whole Bratislava.
alanprekop.com
www.instagram.com/alan.prekop
