So much greenery has never been here. And never has the place been so resident-friendly. The courtyard in front of Poznan's Zamek Cultural Center has turned from a parking lot into a successful urban square. The change is dramatic and positive. However, there is controversy about the new pavilion. But is it rightfully so?
Numerous new trees, shrubs and creepers, original benches and seats, a pond and a new pavilion. That, in a nutshell, is the new furnishings for the outer courtyard of the Neo-Romanesque castle (the last residence of the German emperor erected in 1910), made available today (March 5). Looking at the effects of the change, it's hard to believe that a place with so much potential served as a parking lot for more than half a century. The space, open to Swiety Marcin Street, was "taken out" of the downtown space available to pedestrians and disfigured by cars. Even when cars were scarce almost no one entered the empty area surrounded by massive walls. There was no reason to.
The courtyard came to life only a few times a year, during mass events held there. The folk music festival EthnoPort transformed the space most interestingly. For several days, the stone surface was covered with fresh grass on a roll and a green clearing was created. Participants of the event and the people of Poznań liked this temporary change.
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznań - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
photo: Jakub Głaz
visions changed visions
Finally, the time has come for a permanent change. In 2019 the Castle Cultural Center held a two-stage competition in the so-called Flemish formula for the development of the courtyard. The winner was Aleksander Wadas Studio in cooperation with the Landscape Architecture Studio (Marta Tomasiak).
Open Courtyard, pictured: Aleksander Wadas - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
Photo: Maciej Kaczynski / CK Zamek
The drafting of the terms and conditions of the competition was preceded by workshops, consultations, local inspections and discussions with the staff of the cultural institution. The Castle invited the Open Center (the undersigned co-creates it with Andżelica Jabłońska) to write the regulations and cooperate during the preceding activities. The Poznań branch of SARP provided formal consultation . The Office of the Municipal Conservator of Monuments gave an ongoing opinion on the arrangements .
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznań - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
Photo: Jakub Glaz
Thanks to the workshop, the Castle's intentions have changed. Originally, the thought was to modestly equip the courtyard with greenery and small architecture, so that it could still serve large events. During the site visits it emerged that - except for concerts - an empty, heavily sunlit, windy, stone square without trees would not be attractive to residents. Therefore, it should be arranged to serve them on a daily basis (large events lasting a total of several days a year can be held next door in Mickiewicz Square and the neighboring park, among others).
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznan - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
Photo: Maciej Kaczynski / CK Zamek
Thus, the goal of the competition was to design a friendly, year-round common space and, at the same time, a point of contact between the cultural institution and the city. During the workshops there was a suggestion to allow the construction of a pavilion with a café and an information point about the Castle's activities. This is because it turned out that the fortified form of the building does not encourage some to go inside and take advantage of the rich offer of the cultural center. The pavilion was also intended to partially close off the courtyard, protecting it from the wind and providing shade.
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznań - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
photo: Jakub Głaz
islands without monotony
The winners of the competition heavily saturated the square with trees of different species and diverse shrubs (so that the greenery would be attractive at any time of the year). The trees have thickened the existing greenery separating the courtyard from the St. Martin's sidewalk, but also - most importantly - form a group in the middle of the courtyard. These are already mature specimens that will make an even stronger presence in the future . Islands of greenery and urban furniture have broken up the monotony of the square, creating zones of a slightly different character(a shallow pond fed by rainwater from a retention basin, a space with benches and a shower-bath, bicycle racks).
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznań - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
Photo: Maciej Kaczynski / CK Zamek
Two green and wooded plots also appeared in front of the main entrance to the Castle. In one of them a monument-obelisk commemorating Poznań cryptologists who helped break the codes of the Enigma machine, which had already been standing there, was incorporated. Also now standing in the green are the massive digits of the number 1956 in front of the small entrance to the Poznan June Museum in the eastern part of the Castle.
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznan - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
photo: Jakub Glaz
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznan - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
Photo: Maciej Kaczynski / CK Zamek
The floor of the square has retained its original design from the time of the castle's wartime conversion to Hitler's headquarters. At that time, the body and interiors were transformed, and the courtyard, which was previously fenced with a high fence, was opened to the street. The surviving candelabras and wall surrounding the space also date from this period. Most of the stone slabs and pavers are the original material supplemented in several places with new granite. A much-needed ramp for wheelchair users has been incorporated into the stairs of the main entrance , and handrails have been added.
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznań - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
photo: Jakub Głaz
The quality and forms of small architecture deserve attention. The terrazzo benches of various shapes, in a greenish hue with solid wooden seats, are exceptionally well presented. All of them have an individually designed form. Their massive forms harmonize with the character of the castle, and the varied shapes bring liveliness. There are also mobile light colored chairs and armchairs - comfortable and attractive. Retractable at night, however, they can fall prey to "collectors" during the day(mastering this problem will be a challenge for the castle). The loose and variable arrangement of seats, benches and green "patches" of greenery and trees enter well into dialogue with the hieratic and heavy facades of the edifice.
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznań - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
photo: Jakub Glaz
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznan - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
photo: Jakub Głaz
pavilion good and pavilion bad
Finally, it's time to describe the biggest change stirring up a lot of controversy by the way. We're talking about the one-story pavilion, which the designers inserted between the courtyard and the Saint Martin's sidewalk and adjacent greenery. It is a low horizontal form with a generous clearance at one end and a 60-meter glass space for a café - at the other. In between are walls faced with stone referring to the castle's facade. They enclose the facilities and storage areas. The whole is covered with a massive, but also slightly expressive ("upward-sloping" ends) concrete canopy planted with vegetation on top. A café is currently being installed in the pavilion, which will also serve as a point of promotion for the Castle's activities. Intimate art events are also planned here. An outdoor ground clearance is also earmarked for them.
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznań - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
photo: Jakub Glaz
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznan - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
Photo: Maciej Kaczynski / CK Zamek
During construction, however, the pavilion aroused strong resentment expressed primarily in social media. It was compared to a parking shelter, a gas station or - at best - a subway stop. It was often heard that the pavilion and the trees obscure the Castle. In fact, the building, shielded during construction by a film, may have caused some concern, but after completion it looks very tidy and, thanks to large glazing, quite light. The facades of the castle are visible from the street through the clearance and the windows of the cafe. You can also see the obvious: such a small form is not able to obscure the grand edifice.
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznań - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
Photo: Maciej Kaczynski / CK Zamek
Understandably, however, such a change in a historic setting stirs up emotions that may weaken, but certainly will not disappear. Certainly, the opponent of the pavilion will be orthodox lovers of historical monuments who, as a rule, do not allow this type of interference. Besides, a separate and lengthy article could be written about the complicated and time-varying relationship of Poznanians with the German castle. It would be a story full of inconsistencies and diametric changes of opinion.
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznan - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
Photo: Jakub Głaz
Perhaps, however, some opponents will appreciate the advantages of the pavilion in the future. Thanks to it, the courtyard has taken on a more intimate character, creating a semi-open enclave where it is quieter and less windy. In summer, the clearance and the shade cast by the roof will be taken advantage of . In winter (but not only) the courtyard will be attracted mainly by the café's offer and its warm interior. Thanks to the pavilion, the courtyard has a usable "first floor " - needed in such spaces.
already tamed!
The castle courtyard is available as of today (March 5). A press conference was held at the pavilion. During the conference, the heads of the Castle who initiated and led the reconstruction (director Anna Hryniewiecka and deputy director Zofia Starikiewicz) highly praised their cooperation with the designers, contractors and archaeologists. Indeed - the work went smoothly, and the workmanship is at a high level (the consortium responsible for the construction work is MD KONS Sp. z o.o. and Zakład Budowlano-Sztukatorski Konserwacja Zabytków Marian Domaniecki). It is also worth recalling that after the competition the castle, in consultation with the architects , increased the originally planned amount of greenery.
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznań - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
photo: Jakub Głaz
Worth 15 million zlotys, the works lasted more than a year and a half and recorded only a few weeks' delay due to archaeologists' discoveries. Among other things, the foundations of the apse once adjacent to the tower and the remains of the Berlin Gate were uncovered. It was part of the 19th century fortifications. It was on the site of the fortress ramparts demolished in the early years of the 20th century that the Castle later stood.
As of today, therefore, Poznań has a new, attractive public space. On the day of the opening, the courtyard attracted not only press conference attendees, but also residents and tour groups. Passersby quickly tamed the transformed square. Tourists and groups of schoolchildren sat on the benches, and collective photos were taken on the spacious seats. A full assessment, however, will take some time. The climbing trees and shrubs need to green up and, in the long run, grow. Much will also depend on the quality of what the pavilion operator will offer. According to what came out during the workshop, in addition to catering activities, the facility must include information about the castle's current cultural offerings. The facility's management announces that this will happen soon, although it has yet to provide specifics.
Open Courtyard in front of CK Zamek in Poznań - designed by Aleksander Wadas Studio, (cooperation: Marta Tomasiak Landscape Architecture Studio).
Photo: Maciej Kaczynski / CK Zamek
However, there are many indications that the Open Courtyard in front of the Castle (this was the name given to it in the plebiscite) will be one of the best conceived and executed elements of the reconstruction of downtown streets and squares within the framework of the Center Project ( we summarized it extensively last June). The difference in the quality of the paving and the refinement of the street furniture is immediately apparent. The Saint Martin's space adjacent to the courtyard is successful in many respects, but ranks a level below. It's a shame that it wasn't the courtyard that started the transformation of the center. It would have provided a proper model to follow.
