The new Slovak National Theatre (SND) building and the surrounding area were designed by the architectural team BKPŠ (Martin Kusý Sr, Pavol Paňák, Peter Bauer), as awarded through a vigorously contested competition in 1980. This followed studies to establish a suitable location for the new SND building, and Martanovičova Street (today Pribinova Street) was selected from more than ten contenders as it adjoined the then harbour and industrial zone on the Danube embankment, an area scheduled for future city development.  

Location near the embankment and river was a key factor for the positioning and orientation of the new SND building, as well as for placement of artworks on the perpendicular axis between the theatre and the river – a compositional axis that symbolises water flow from the Little Carpathians to the Danube. Central within the SND entrance hall is the sculpture Spring, a work in metal and glass by Dušan Búřil and Peter Bauer. The interior artwork is complemented by the exterior fountain Water Spring in front of the main entrance and, according to the original project, further supplemented by Stone Water Cascade designed by Peter Roller. Formed as an extensive longitudinal basin lined with stone, it features cascading stone blocks down which water flowed to its lowest section. The work was popular with the public, appearing at first glance to be a natural assemblage of dark stones and small waterfalls, easily accessible, and allowing direct contact with the water. Such an approach is characteristic of Peter Roller, whether in his small stone objects and river designs or in his more substantial works. The cascade has long been inactive, however, its water system inoperative and its structure in a state of disrepair. The work’s fate is unknown; it is situated on a planned new tram route along Pribinova Street, and before a final decision is taken on that project it is unlikely that there will be investment in its renovation. Also, the size and sunken nature of the fountain mean that "relocation" and rebuilding on another site is probably unfeasible. 

ZD

Research status as of 31 January 2025.