Karolina Tazbir and Krystian Cięciwa - students of the Faculty of Architecture at Wrocław University of Technology - have an idea on how to repurpose the Teutonic castle in Radzyń Chełmiński. The design goal? To preserve the most important elements and create a space with new functions.
The facade of the new part was designed using two materials: clinker tiles and glass passing through the building
© Karolina Tazbir, Krystian Cięciwa
The Castum project was created during the second semester of the first year of a master's degree course in the Design of Halls and Performance Spaces under the academic supervision of Dr. Pawel Amalowicz at the Wrocław University of Technology.
The adaptation of the Teutonic castle ruins required a responsible approach to preserving the historic substance and finding new spaces for various functions
© Karolina Tazbir, Krystian Cięciwa
What was most important in the project? Adaptation of the Teutonic Castle ruins required not only a responsible approach to preserving the historic substance, but also finding new spaces for various functions, including education, recreation and social activities. The castle is alive with meetings and knightly tournaments, so the project had to include new space for them as well.
We wanted to create a functional scheme for the building that sustained the aforementioned functions and gave new, better suited spaces for their implementation. We also wanted the massing and facade materials used to harmonize well with the castle ruin. The thought behind the design of the building was to make historical references and preserve the existing functions," reads the project description by Karolina Tazbir and Krystian Cięciwa.
The structure used in the project is reinforced concrete, which was dictated by its flexibility and less interference
© Karolina Tazbir, Krystian Cięciwa
separate the old from the new
The first floor, at the front of the building, has been separated into several sections. There is an entrance area, including a lobby, checkrooms, cash registers and a gift store. The southern section has two towers, an entrance gate and rooms in the east wing, where the original arch-ribbed vaults have been preserved and converted into exhibition space. On the north side, on the other hand, a cafeteria with a small back room, changing rooms for actors, a foyer and the main auditorium, which is octagonal in shape, is planned, referring to the original tower. The first floor houses offices and offices for administrative staff, assuming a staff of seven. The layout is simple and open to the inner part of the castle. In addition, a balcony over the auditorium has been placed on this floor, and an observation deck has been provided above the café, from which historical shows or knightly battles can be viewed.
Visualization of the staircase connecting the first floor with the viewing terrace
© Karolina Tazbir, Krystian Cięciwa
When designing the massing, we were most concerned that the hall should be the dominant part of the newly created building. Thus, we created a rectangular solid with different heights, which blends in with the existing monument. When creating the solid, we tried to design viewing frames from which one can admire the relationship of the newly designed building with the historic one," the project's authors point out.
hall referring to medieval culture
An interesting solution is the auditorium, which can accommodate up to 131 guests, also taking into account the needs of people with disabilities. The hall was designed in the shape of an octagon, which is supposed to refer to the castle tower, which was previously located in this place.
visualization of the auditorium
© Karolina Tazbir, Krystian Cięciwa
The shape of the hall allows a good view of the stage from every seat. The hall was soundproofed with acoustic panels on the walls and ceiling. The panel module refers to historical elements of plate armor. This treatment is intended to emphasize the form of reconstructed knightly battles, as well as historical shows, the description reads.
The entrance area to the new section
© Karolina Tazbir, Krystian Cięciwa
preserved connection in the structure
The structure used in the project is reinforced concrete, which was dictated by its flexibility and less interference than with other materials. The façade of the new part was designed with two materials: clinker tiles and glass passing through the building, which was intended, as the authors point out, to be associated with the "overbite of the tooth of time."
axonometric projection
© Karolina Tazbir, Krystian Cięciwa
