Work submitted for the competition
"Best Diploma Architecture"
The site is located in the southern part of downtown Bialystok, a few hundred meters from Kosciuszko Square — the city's main square. It is located on an important pre-war transportation axis, as evidenced by its width on the plans of the time, Mlynowa Street, and is directly adjacent with its frontage to Sienna Square — one of the three important squares of the historic city. During World War II, Bialystok was massively damaged. One of the reasons for this was the multicultural nature of the city, combining Polish, Eastern, but above all Jewish influences.
history and context of the site
© Piotr Przekop
The search for the northern boundary of the study area led to the determination, through a site visit and plan studies, of the viewing axis of the Podlasie Opera House. It forms the natural boundary of the project space and allows the Central Park to be extended into the study area.
The vicinity of Sienna Square, despite the visible degradation of the original urban fabric, progressing since World War II, is an active point on the gastronomic and entertainment map of Bialystok. Particularly noteworthy is Streat Food Młynowa, one of the most popular evening meeting places for Bialystok residents.
functional transformations of the space
© Piotr Przekop
It is important to integrate the new and old fabric to create a unified architectural expression of the place. Instead of a chaotic public space with a character incompatible with its location, it was proposed to organize and focus on places that integrate the urban character of the development with the surrounding greenery. The public spaces in the area in question combine various forms of activation of Bialystok residents.
site development plan
© Piotr Przekop
The project refers to the historic architecture of Bialystok on both the urban and architectural levels. By replicating the gable frontage development, a visible reference to the architectural heritage of the city is created, while at the same time forms of completely contemporary style and volume are created.
wooden architecture of Bialystok
© Piotr Przekop
One of the biggest problems of the area is the lack of development of the space connecting Central Park with Mlynowa Street. This wasteland makes the park virtually inaccessible from the south, while access to extensive and diverse urban greenery is one of the area's greatest assets. However, in order to realize the full potential of the site, a connection between public spaces in the area is needed.
The most important issue becomes the connection between Central Park and Hay Market and Mill Street. In doing so, it is important to emphasize the extension of green areas into the development area, which emphasizes the connection between this urban space and the surrounding park.
urban visualizations
© Piotr Przekop
Each building was designed in the same way and on the same structural module. In addition, the use of CLT technology allows full prefabrication of the buildings, minimizing the time and cost of their erection. The use of Novatop sandwich floors made it possible to achieve a span of 830 centimeters between supports.
spatial structure and circularity of matter
© Piotr Przekop
To use as little new material as possible, the facades of the buildings are proposed to be made of refurbished and treated demolition wood. Together with the simple motif of finishing the facades, this will help illustrate the idea of upcycling on a functioning architectural object.
city community center and senior citizen home; plans and sections
© Piotr Przekop
There are six independent functional-spatial structures in the study area:
1. Dancer — an urban community center with a multipurpose performance hall. A place for physical development in harmony with the surrounding environment and event space of the center.
2. Lektor — new and old structure connected by a glass link. Focus on group language learning, joint discussion and intellectual development.
3. Reader — an adaptation of the historic frontage building. A place for concentration and quiet work, designed around the reading room and providing a variety of development opportunities.
4. Artist — a contemporary addition to the frontage. A space for creative work, crafts and aesthetics. Designed to activate residents and for artistic education.
5. Caregiver — contemporary addition to the frontage, building connected to the nearby park. A municipal senior home with an expanded program, adjacent to the park.
6. Custodian — adaptation of historic frontage building. A space of memories, transporting viewers to the former Chanajki.
architectural visualizations
© Piotr Przekop
Piotr PRZEKOP
Illustrations: © Author
