The Slovak Radio Building belongs to one of Bratislava's architectural landmarks. It was constructed at a time when socialist realism was the official architectural style in Czechoslovakia. Nonetheless, the architects were afforded considerable leeway to experiment with the design of the building. One of the architects, Štefan Svetko, later observed that "during those years, architecture began to escape ideology, the stupidity of prefabricated blocks, and continued the pre-war tradition when we made good buildings comparable with developments elsewhere in the world".[2]
The architects were originally selected through a competition that took place in 1963. Although the competition was won by Miloš Chorvát, the investor opted for the second-placed design by Štefan Svetko, Štefan Ďurkovič and Barnabáš Kissling. The authors consciously sought to avoid replicating the predominant style of tall buildings at the time, which combined a low block with a tall office tower. The building was instead meant to be more expressive and carry a distinctive style.[2] Svetko was known to refer to the design as a "temple of word and music".[3]
The Slovak Radio Building was one of the first major buildings in Slovakia utilizing a steel frame instead of prefabricated concrete panels which were ubiquitous at the time. The lack of experience with steel negatively impacted the construction of the building, however.
While nowadays the building is located in the broader center of Bratislava, the location was peripheral at the time of its conception.
The Slovak Radio Building has divided public opinion ever since its unveiling. While some architects consider it one of the country's most important buildings conversant with contemporary architectural styles in the world,[4] others consider it ugly and synonymous with communist oppression.
The Telegraph included the building in a list of the 30 ugliest buildings in the world,[5] but this choice was criticized by a number of architects.[6]
In 2017, the building was declared a cultural heritage monument in Slovakia.