Metropol
Amid rising housing costs and increasingly diverse social structures, the concept of coliving has emerged as a mainstream residential model in European cities. Once primarily associated with short-term stays for younger demographics, today’s coliving emphasizes how people live together—offering flexible, quality spaces that bridge solitude and community, and fostering genuine human connection. This renewed vision forms the foundation for BEEF ARCHITEKTI’s transformation of Metropol, a historical building in central Bratislava, into a vibrant coliving residence anchored in the idea of social living.
Dating back to the first half of the 20th century and extending through the Cold War era, Metropol has long served as a cultural and social landmark. Its basement cinema was once a shared memory for many locals, and even now, the building retains its legacy as a hub of urban culture and entertainment. In restoring the building, the architects preserved this spirit—resurrecting not just a space, but the atmosphere of collective everyday life, ensuring that Metropol continues to function as a vessel of lived memory and emotional resonance.
The renovation introduced 19 residential units ranging from 16-square-meter micro-suites to 35-square-meter one-bedroom flats. Each space is designed around the principle of spatial openness and flow, with glass blocks channeling indirect light to maintain both transparency and privacy. On the ground floor, a communal kitchen, lounge, and laundry facilities support casual interaction among residents. These semi-public zones cultivate moments of social exchange, transforming the typology from isolated urban dwelling into a warm, community-oriented experience. Rather than being a cost-saving arrangement, coliving here becomes a platform for social engagement through design.
Key original features—including the rhythmically spaced concrete rib beams and signature blue window frames—have been intentionally retained, establishing a visual dialogue between past and present. These elements become spatial anchors within a contemporary setting. The material palette is grounded in beige and grey tones to convey a calm and open atmosphere, while wooden flooring adds tactile warmth. Matte metal accents introduce a subtle industrial character, together forming an aesthetic that quietly balances the old with the new.
More than a spatial intervention, the rebirth of Metropol represents a reaffirmation of life values. In contrast to market-driven housing models centered on accumulation, this project offers an alternative rooted in the beauty of sharing. Metropol is no longer a fragmented stack of private units, but a redefinition of dwelling as a relational space—one that fosters connection between individuals and their city. Through this transformation, BEEF ARCHITEKTI allows the building’s social essence to endure, reopening the conversation between people within a coliving context, and reconnecting living with memory.
Lead Architects | BEEF ARCHITEKTI Team
Type | Coliving Housing (Renovation)
Gross Floor Area | 19 residential units from 16 m² to 35 m²
Materials | Concrete Rib Beams / Glass Blocks / Blue Aluminum Window Frames / Wood Flooring / Matte Metal / Beige & Grey Finishes
Location | Bratislava, Slovakia
