The concept for the expansion and adaptation of the buildings of the State School of Information Technology and Entrepreneurship in Lomza by a team of young architects consisting of: Filip Zielinski of FAV. Office, Jakub Wójtowicz of WojtowiczArchitecture in collaboration with Grzegorz Tracz received an honorable mention in the recently resolved competition organized by the SARP branch in Bialystok. Appreciated by the jury, the project facilitates communication, introduces additional spaces and lots of greenery to the campus.
The main entrance to the PWSIP university grounds in Lomza
© FAV.Offce, WojtowiczArchitecture, Grzegorz Tracz (cooperation)
The competition task was to develop an author's concept of program and space expansion and adaptation of the buildings of the State University of Information Technology and Entrepreneurship in Lomza - in order to connect them functionally - along with land development, as part of the development and integration of the buildings of the campus on Akademicka Street in Lomza. The jury decided to award two main prizes, one honorable mention and two honorable mentions. You can read about the results, the projects and the jury's reasoning here.
Among the honorable ment ions was a project by Filip Zielinski (FAV.Office), Jakub Wojtowicz (WojtowiczArchitecture) in collaboration with Grzegorz Tracz.
Higher education requires constant development of its infrastructure to keep up with the times. Meeting the expectations of younger generations of students andadapting the university spaces to innovative teaching methods became the main premise of the proposed architectural concept. The existing buildings on the campus, despite their classic and optimized functional layout, require numerous adaptation and renovation works to adapt them to current expectations. Undoubtedly, one of the biggest drawbacks of the current layout is the lack of connection between adjacent buildings. The connector building proposed in the presented architectural concept is a response to both traffic problems and the lack of sufficient teaching and conference space on campus. The layout of the premises provides both a convenient and quick connection between the existing buildings, as well as a modern space for lectures and scientific events, the architects say.
The architects focused on the design of the connector and the introduction of greenery to the campus
© FAV.Offce, WojtowiczArchitecture, Grzegorz Tracz (collaboration)
complementing the existing form
The simple form of the proposed expansion fits in with the modernist massing, becoming a complement to the distinctive form with which the university's visual identity is associated. Approaching with great respect to the existing composition of the masses, including in particular the unique roof finish of the front part, the architects proposed only a delicate renovation of the facades of the existing buildings. The main parts of the buildings, were preserved in their existing form, introducing facade divisions and a new color scheme, intuitively emphasizing the main entrance to the building along with its unique form.
The concept also includes renovation of the facades of the existing buildings
© FAV.Offce, WojtowiczArchitecture, Grzegorz Tracz (collaboration)
The existing buildings included in the scope of the competition study are an ideal example of modernist architecture. The simple forms of the corridor parts resulted in the creation of cuboid blocks, which already from the outside betray the characteristics of their functional divisions. The minimalist boxes of the two adjacent buildings were dominated by the geometric entrance block attached to the front building. Both its overhang and strong carving in the form of an arched roof and high columns supporting it on the south side unambiguously define the location of the most important part - the main entrance to the building. Over the years, however, the top layer of the facade, along with its color scheme, has become aesthetically obsolete. The timeless modernist form, has lost its charm, being perceived through pastel colors and numerous stains, says the project team.
campus landscaping plan
© FAV.Offce, WojtowiczArchitecture, Grzegorz Tracz (collaboration)
The architects decided to refresh the facades of the existing buildings. The simple masses were given a light color scheme with delicate vertical division detailing to emphasize the rhythmic nature of the windows and give the facades a modern feel. Based on subtle accents of green, appearing, for example, in the existing window woodwork, the green color was adopted as the leitmotif for the renovation of the front part. To emphasize representativeness, a material in the form of facade panels was used, which will retain its modern appearance over time.
The introduction of a connector will facilitate communication and create a rest and study zone
© FAV.Offce, WojtowiczArchitecture, Grzegorz Tracz (collaboration)
glass connector
The main compositional idea is a connector that complements the existing forms of neighboring buildings. The simplicity of the masses with a clear dominant in the form of the canopy of the entrance part was complemented in a way that does not compete with the current hierarchy of space. The outline of the proposed form was created on the basis of proportions and dimensions of neighboring buildings.
The creation of common axes and the appropriate shaping of heights makes the connector building look as if it was designed as a coherent whole many years ago, the authors add.
interior of the main hall
© FAV.Offce, WojtowiczArchitecture, Grzegorz Tracz (collaboration)
The simple shape of the block allowed the architects to arrange the rooms ergonomically and functionally in the interior to introduce an open area for rest and study, where students can spend their free time. The authors, inspired by European models of shaping university spaces, designed a place conducive to study and work. The clean communication layout, formed in the axis of the current entrances to the buildings, made the designed connector, at the same time providing fast and convenient communication between the three buildings and a comfortable space for both lectures and teamwork outside class hours.
first floor plan of the entire establishment
© FAV.Offce, WojtowiczArchitecture, Grzegorz Tracz (collaboration)
The first floor space has been developed for a teaching function. The first floor, on the other hand, provides an open conference space with space dedicated to quiet work and team meetings. A small catering facility to serve students or act as a catering facility during conferences has also been placed in the southern part of the floor.
The design of the connector complements the existing buildings
© FAV.Offce, WojtowiczArchitecture, Grzegorz Tracz (collaboration)
intimate green spaces and park
The assumptions proposed in the landscaping design introduce greenery for recreation and special events. The placement of the connector allowed the creation of intimate spaces such as the entrance square. The greenery between the university buildings, combined with the large glazing of the teaching halls, affects the comfort in which lectures are held. The design is complemented by a green park proposed in the northern part of the site, in response to the dense development of the campus. The park creates a space where students can spend time between classes.
