In the heart of Krakow, within the old Central Station, a team of male and female students decided to create a space that stands out from the crowded city and provides an oasis of rest, tranquility, regeneration and integration. The project, created as part of the interdisciplinary "New Space" workshop, is based on the concepts of resilience, adaptation, flexibility and safety, responding to the needs of different users and users, both tourists/tourists and residents/residents of Krakow. The project team (Paulina Kawecka WAW ASP, Oliwia Tasiemska WAW ASP, Wiktoria Weselak WAW ASP, Camila Pisano WAW ASP Erasmus, Patryk Kurek IS UJ, Aleksandra Sawczuk KMiW AGH, Alicja Pietruszewska IGiGP UJ, WeronikaLebica WA PK, and Pawel Janik IGiGP UJ) is a group of young people from different universities who have combined their expertise to create a project full of creative solutions for public space.
design unit
© Paulina Kawecka, Oliwia Tasiemska, Wiktoria Weselak, Camila Pisano, Patryk Kurek, Aleksandra Sawczuk, Alicja Pietruszewska, Weronika Lebica, Paweł Janik
concept of residency in an urban center
The project focuses on the concept of resilience in an urban context - resilience, flexibility and security. The neighborhood in which the Old Central Station is located is one of the most congested and heavily used areas of Krakow. It is here that the city's main transportation lines, both streetcar and rail, intersect. Although the area serves a transportation function, for many people it is also a landmark, a space for daily encounters and the final stage before traveling or returning home. In response to the intensity of the area, the team decided to create a space that is resistant to the urban pace of life, giving users the opportunity to disconnect from the noise and rush of everyday life.
"(Do)freedom" - freedom from the rush
The name of the project, "(Do)freedom," reflects the idea that the designers wanted to put into practice - to allow users of the facility to choose a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The created space gives the freedom to stop, rest and regenerate, but not in the form of an escape from reality. It's a space that creates an opportunity to adapt to one's rhythm and needs, and allows one to stop to gain energy to continue. In this context, space offers multifunctional possibilities: from places for quiet rest to spaces for social integration that help build community.
analysis
© Paulina Kawecka, Oliwia Tasiemska, Wiktoria Weselak, Camila Pisano, Patryk Kurek, Aleksandra Sawczuk, Alicja Pietruszewska, Weronika Lebica, Paweł Janik
response to users' needs
In response to the diverse needs of visitors, the project was divided into two main zones - a quiet zone and a recreational zone. The quiet zone is a space for those wishing to relax in silence and harmony. Arranged in a minimalist style with wooden accents, full of vegetation and soft lighting, it provides the tranquility and comfort that is indispensable for those seeking respite from the noise of the city. This space features comfortable seating areas, a library and a bookcrossing point.
Unlike the tranquility zone, the recreation zone is a dynamic space that invites activity. It was designed with families, groups of friends, as well as people with children and pets in mind. In this part, you'll find space for board and table games, a children's playground, an area with displays of works by students and local artists, and a café where residents and tourists can spend time together. Separate zones avoid conflicts that could arise with the diverse needs and preferences of users/users.
The project is not limited to creating a space for quiet rest or recreation. It is also important to include the aspect of flexibility and adaptation according to circumstances. The designers and designers assumed that in the future the space could be adapted to activities during crises. Mentioning the use of the site during the 2022 refugee crisis, when the Old Central Station became a coordination point for aid, underscores the importance of creating spaces that can respond to social needs in difficult moments. That's why part of the square can be adapted to function as an aid center, as well as offer temporary emergency support.
visuals
© Paulina Kawecka, Oliwia Tasiemska, Wiktoria Weselak, Camila Pisano, Patryk Kurek, Aleksandra Sawczuk, Alicja Pietruszewska, Weronika Lebica, Paweł Janik
The design team made sure that the space was consistent with the character of the historic Old Main Station building. The concept of the interiors is based on the harmony between modernity and tradition, introducing elements of wood, subdued colors, as well as attention to acoustics, which makes each space affect the senses of users/users and create a sense of calm or activity depending on the chosen zone.
resilience and adaptation as key elements of the space
The tranquility zone, where openwork domes, wooden seating and pleasant lighting have been planned, is a place that is meant to bring users/users into a state of calm and balance. In contrast, the recreation zone is a lively space - bright colors, dynamic lighting, and games that engage participants in social interaction.
The interior is designed to provide users with experiences that change depending on the time of day. The circulation space provides a delicate transition between the quiet and recreational areas, helping to integrate the two spaces in a cohesive, modern way.
visuals
© Paulina Kawecka, Oliwia Tasiemska, Wiktoria Weselak, Camila Pisano, Patryk Kurek, Aleksandra Sawczuk, Alicja Pietruszewska, Weronika Lebica, Paweł Janik
The Old Central Station project is an example of how public space can respond to the need for balance between the intensity of urban life and the need for rest, quiet and regeneration. "(Do)freedom" not only gives visitors the opportunity to relax, but also allows them to adapt flexibly to different needs - rest, play, integrate. The project team created a space that can stand the test of time, responding to people's changing needs, but also to crisis challenges.
