Traditional and Modern Revisited – Contemporary Slovak Architecture for Human Flourishing

Abstract

Although contemporary architectural theory places increasing emphasis on humanistic approaches, there is a need for a deeper analysis, within the Central European context, of how people subjectively perceive the tension between traditional and innovative architectural expression. The broader objective of this research is to identify positively stimulating environments that reflect the diverse needs of various population groups. Specifically, the study focuses on preferences in architecture designed for holistic human development and education – with an emphasis on the dichotomy between tradition and innovation with reference to modernism – and defines their relationship to specific user groups. The research is based on the assumption that architectural preferences are heterogeneous; therefore, there is no universally ideal design solution for everyone, but rather the diverse needs of different types of people. Based on statistically representative data from 700 respondents in Slovakia, segmentation was performed using cluster analysis of the parameters under study. This analysis identified four distinct user segments with homogeneous characteristics and preferences: enthusiasts of traditional complexity, urban pragmatists, traditional minimalists, and modern minimalists . The findings suggest that, although nearly two-thirds of respondents prefer more traditional forms, there is significant demand for hybrid solutions that integrate the historical legacy with contemporary aesthetic and technical standards reflecting modernity. Abstract archetypes could be one means of bridging the gap between historical continuity and technological progress. Another possibility could be modernist forms in a structured natural and humanistic interpretation. The article argues that approaches rooted in critical regionalism – such as abstract traditionalism or humanist modernism – can serve as a key impulse for a new generation of architecture in Slovakia, as well as in a broader international context.