Two variable tapers and a movable stage became a part of Hlavná ulica in Košice as of Thursday night. British Council, IC Cultural Train and the association of architects KOD collaborated with the students of architecture and art, along with the project team of Košice's candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2013, and created a project known as the British Council Creative Environment.

Workshop
Nontraditional architectonic solution aims to assess communication between city inhabitants and institutions, and to create an unconventional space for presenting modern art in the heart of the city. The initiative was preceded by a workshop last April. Students of architecture and design, tutored by top British instructors from Glasgow School of Art, Justin Carter and Robert Mantho, worked out three design studies of public space on Hlavná ulica, which were formed into Platform by the architects of KOD association. " It was important to find partners with experience in this sphere. Collaboration with British instructors, who have ample experience in similar projects, proved most beneficial. They played a substantial role in forming the central theme of the project in the subject area of architecture and socially committed art. They also assured top-class tutoring for the workshops," stated Martin Uhrík, one of the architects from KOD association, which strives to revitalize the public perception of architecture.

Variability
" Shape should allow the biggest possible variability of potential special expression and it ought to foster the relationship between activities occurring within and everyday life activities. It was designed by Juraj Novotný from Slovinky, a jeweler and a free-lance artist working mostly with metal. This project is rare, if not unique in Slovakia – not just in its design, but primarily in its effort to create a new definition of public space, in which we, the inhabitants, can communicate about problems of our city," added Uhrík. The unconventional object on Hlavná ulica is made of birch plywood with a anti-graffiti finish. "Objects can act as a closed gallery, concert stage or a discussion forum. Conical objects can be positioned horizontally or vertically, depending whether they require a more open or a rather closed up operation," describes the co-author of Platform Braňo Škopek about its simple means of manipulation and transformation. Platform started its use by presenting an exhibition documenting the process of its creation. Nontraditional stage will also host the Czech band DVA and their concert during Moonride festival.