A former sugar factory may be transformed into a Center for Cultural Innovation thanks to students Politechnika Lubelska, who have created a project for a 1950s-style meeting place at the Przybysław Homestead.
The project was created as part of a workshop that, although traditionally held during the vacations, the municipal government held as early as December. The deputy mayor of Garbów municipality, Malgorzata Sanulata, inspired by the activities of students from Lublin University of Technology in the Piaski municipality, invited them to work on the transformation of the former Garbów Sugar Factory's factory community center.
A meeting place instead of a closed factory
It was not only the largest cultural institution for this employer, but also for the entire municipality. Young people and senior citizens met there. A movie theater and a canteen functioned. After privatization, the place was neglected. The municipality bought it by auction, when its condition was already dire
- says Malgorzata Sanulata.
Center for Cultural Innovation
© Lublin University of Technology
Before starting the design, the students met with local authorities and residents. From the consultations it became clear how many functions the new cultural center should have, and this was not the only challenge the students faced.
This was probably the fastest and most intensive workshop I have attended. Since the building did not have documentation we had to first inventory it . The students took measurements and photographs
- admits Dr. Eng. arch. Natalia Przesmycka of the Faculty of Construction and Architecture at Lublin University of Technology.
A cinema hall, a cafe, a bowling alley - students took into account the requests of residents
The Center for Cultural Innovation, designed as part of the workshop, could restore the role that the sugar factory building played 60 years ago and serve not only the residents of the small Zagrody Przybysławskie, but the entire municipality.
Cultural Innovation Center
© Lublin University of Technology
The biggest attraction was the Dawn cinema. Even as a kid, I used to go there for cartoon mornings. Anyway, very interesting films were screened there. In the 60s and 70s there was also a club called "Under thatched roof", something like a cafe. You could sit there, a lot of young people came, there were some attractions, competitions, you could drink coffee... An orchestra also operated there. The place was bustling with life. Something like this is sorely missing today
- recalls Zagrody resident Waldemar Matraszek.
Center for Cultural Innovation
© Lublin University of Technology
That's why the students included in the project just an auditorium, a café, a bowling alley, a virtual shooting range, a dance hall and also a climbing wall. The building is kept in the style of the 1950s, even Ignacy Dobrzynski's cut-outs were used. The area around the building included a playground and fire pits for holding bonfires.
Center for Cultural Innovation
© Lublin University of Technology
Such places are needed. I come from a smaller town and I know that they allow residents to meet and get to know each other better. That's why in our project we included many rooms that can perform different functions, such as the residents would like
- says Martyna Łęcka, a third-year architecture student.
