The project by Mateusz Łowisz of the Academy of Applied Sciences in Nowy Targ is a thoughtful and responsible attempt to restore the Old Bog Baths in Krynica-Zdrój - one of the key sites of the town's resort heritage - to their former glory. The author undertakes a task that goes beyond mere modernization. His concept poses the question of how modern architecture can protect monuments, not freezing them in time, but allowing them to continue living and serving the community.
site plan
© Mateusz Łowisz
Adaptation of a monument with respect for the original form
The Old Peat Baths - a listed building - are today in a poor state of repair. The project therefore responds to both the need to preserve and upgrade them. Łowisz envisaged the renovation and reconstruction of the building, preserving its mass and most important architectural details.
Any interference with the structure of the monument was done in the spirit of minimalism and full legibility. Contemporary elements - such as glazed canopies, walking terraces and driveways - were designed in a simple, modern form that subtly contrasts with the historic architecture. As a result, they don't pretend to be part of the original establishment, but instead dialogue with it, emphasizing the layering and temporal depth of the site.
elevations
© Mateusz Łowisz
new function: rehabilitation and care center
A key premise of the project was to transform the site into a modern rehabilitation and care center, meeting the needs of the elderly and those requiring support.
The functions introduced include:
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rehabilitation and therapeutic spaces,
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rest rooms,
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recreational and integration zones,
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spatial layout adapted to modern safety and accessibility standards.
The internal layout of the building was also modified to meet current standards, while maintaining the historical logic of the space.
drawing
© Mateusz Łowisz
landscaping: barrier-free architecture and close to nature
The urban context of Krynica-Zdrój played as important a role in the project as the building itself. The author emphasizes the spa character of the place by introducing green therapeutic zones and walking paths.
Provisions are made for:
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rest areas of different scale and function,
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spaces conducive to therapy,
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intergenerational integration zones,
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fully barrier-free design to make the facility accessible to people with diverse needs.
The development area is intended to support the process of rehabilitation, not only physical, but also mental, which puts the project in the trend of health-oriented architecture.
visualization
© Mateusz Łowisz
sustainable development and heritage responsibility
The project makes use of energy-saving and green technologies, which have been introduced in a way that does not compromise the historic character of the building. Lowisz shows that modern environmental standards can coexist harmoniously with the historic architectural fabric.
visualization
© Mateusz Łowisz
The whole concept becomes a voice in the discussion that the best form of preservation of a monument is its use. The author does not treat the Peat Baths as a "monument," but as a space that can continue to serve people and the city - as it has done for decades.
