DAAD and Urban Market brought a week full of design and architecture to FAD STU

During the final days of May, the Faculty of Architecture and Design of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava became the main venue for gatherings of creators, designers, architects, students and the general public. From 26 to 31 May 2026, the DAAD 2026 festival – Days of Architecture and Design – took place, also featuring the spring edition of Urban Market. It was held from 29 to 31 May 2026 on the premises of FAD STU and in the adjacent Freedom Square.

The event brought together local original design, fashion, artistic creation, architecture, discussions, an accompanying programme for children and adults, and a street food zone beneath the iconic fountain in Freedom Square. Urban Market once again confirmed its place among the most prominent platforms for local creative work in Slovakia, while DAAD added a broader context of architecture, design, art and public space to the programme.

The main ceremonial opening of DAAD also included a lecture by the Dean of FAD STU, Branislav Puškár, dedicated to the theme of 50 years of FAD STU. In his presentation, he outlined the importance of the faculty in the context of the development of architectural and design education in Slovakia, its direction to date, and its role in shaping future generations of architects and designers.

For several days, FAD STU was transformed into an open space for contemporary creation, new ideas and interdisciplinary encounters. The events confirmed the importance of connecting the academic environment with the professional scene and the public, while also showing that architecture and design have a firm place in Bratislava’s cultural life.