The winning team will design and deliver a new science centre and planetarium within the grounds of Bratislava Zoo – featuring research and innovation area areas alongside visitor facilities for the public and school groups.
The new Bratislava Science Experience Centre and Planetarium will supersede the city’s existing 2,500m² Aurelium Science Centre which has limited capacity and no longer meets current visitor experience needs.
According to the brief: ‘The Center for Scientific and Technical Information (CVTI) of the Slovak Republic announces a competition for proposals for the construction of a new Science Experience Centre and Planetarium.
‘The conditions are to prepare an architectural design in graphic form and at the same time submit a physical model of the future centre.’
Bratislava is the largest city in Slovakia with around 430,000 residents. Studio Egret West won an international competition to transform the campus of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) in Bratislava one year ago.
The latest competition focusses on creating a new science centre and planetarium within Bratislava Zoo which opened in 1960 in the Mlynská dolina area of the city and features a range of pavilion style buildings along with lakes and enclosures.
The project aims to complement existing institutions and, over time, become a hub for science communication and public engagement for all of the country. Construction is expected to start in 2028.
The competition conditions require the submission of both an architectural and a physical model of the centre. The contest jury will assess entries based on the quality of design, innovation, relationship to site, sensitivity to landscape, functionality and economic feasibility.
The competition languages are Slovak and Czech. The overall winner will receive a first prize of €27,000 while a second prize of €21,000 and third prize of €16,000 will also be awarded. The estimated contract value for the design and project documentation is €920,000 excluding VAT.
Competition details
Project title Bratislava Science Experience Centre and Planetarium
Client Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Information (CVTI SR)
Contract value €920,000 excl. VAT
Deadline 10 October 2025
Restrictions Proposals must include architectural designs and a physical model, meeting the requirements set out in the competition brief; experience with science, educational, or cultural buildings is required
More information https://ted.europa.eu/en/notice/-/detail/470918-2025
