A {tag:studenci} from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk decided to revive a former mill located in the village of Kula-Młyn, transforming it into a home for an adoptive family. With her project, she tries to prove that architecture can have therapeutic qualities and influence human relations.
The project "Permanent Home. Permanent Family. Adaptation of a mill to house an adoptive family in the village of Kula-Młyn" was created as a master's thesis under the direction of Prof. Beata Szymanska and Dr. Pawel Czarzasty at the Faculty of Interior Design, Gdansk Academy of Fine Arts.
The whole is more than the sum of the parts, a family is more than a kinship of people, and a house is more than a building. My concept tries to respond in the best way to the problem of parental deprivation of children. In the project, I refer to a quote I once heard about "what the house has destroyed, no one can repair anymore," in an attempt to remedy it," says Veronika Kuzma.
The former mill has been transformed into a home for an adoptive family
© Weronika Kuzma
multi-generational home
With her project, the author tries to prove that architecture can in a way "heal", blur differences, unite and divide. Working on her diploma, the student analyzed various aspects of domestic life. Despite observing the gradual disappearance of traditional multi-generational families, the design decision was to return to this form of family. The adapted historic mill building responds to the main needs of the users, making it a basis for building intimate human relationships.
The common area includes a two-story high dining room
© Weronika Kuzma
The combination of a multigenerational home and a large family creates developmental conditions that cannot be achieved in another environment. Growing up in a large family, with numerous siblings and elders teaches later functioning in society. People living in love and surrounding each other with care and concern are the foundation of the family. Childhood shapes a person, growing up in a multigenerational family teaches tolerance, sensitivity and cooperation," explains the architect.
The architect combined historical elements, the current state of the building with the author's design
© Weronika Kuzma
mill adaptation
Thehouse of an adoptive family in the village of Kula-Mill is a project that is a combination of the current state of the mill, historical accents and the architect's original concepts. Based on comprehensive documentation (from 1981 to 1999), the author restored historical elements of the building that no longer exist, but are worth restoring. The facade received enlarged glazing. The roofs, which had been restored and thickened, were post-positioned to let in light and achieve an optimal floor height. Thanks to these measures, the interiors in the depths of the building have been illuminated. The southern elevation of the highest part of the mill, on the other hand, was opened up and enlarged by a glazed extension with a metal structure that reproduces the shape of the building. The extension, set one story lower, repeats the procedure of roof grading.
The southern elevation of the highest part of the mill, has been opened up
and enlarged with a glazed extension that recreates the shape of the building
© Weronika Kuzma
An exterior balcony, inspired by historical inventory drawings, encircles part of the facade. Originally reconstructed in the west wing, it wraps the brick walls with a wooden structure. The living area was designed so that the layout of the rooms provides intimacy and comfort for a multi-generational family.
interior of the kitchen
© Weronika Kuzma
The austere walls of the adapted mill leave room for respite. Architecture unites people, in common areas, and gives rest and solitude, in private areas. Attempts and design decisions that meet the stated goals were combined with the architectural solution of the mill space. The developed building and garden gives a feeling of belonging to a family and to a home. It gives meaning and fulfillment," explains Weronika Kuzma.
The common area also includes an orangery and added wooden balconies
© Weronika Kuzma
three zones
The building has been divided into several zones. The common part consists of a high space with a dining room and living room, a kitchen, a conservatory, recreation rooms - a TV room and an exercise room, and a library. The private part includes rooms for older and younger children, as well as parents and grandparents' apartment. The mill also has a store, storage and utility rooms.
The top floor includes rooms for older children and an industrial bathroom
© Weronika Kuzma
The main building is intended as a common space, gathering all family members. After crossing the door we find ourselves in a room two stories high. To achieve this effect, the author removed the ceiling of the second floor, revealing a wooden structure running through the axis of the building.
The pillars separate the space into four rooms
© Weronika Kuzma
From the high space, vertical communication leads to the top floor. This floor was adapted into bedrooms for older children. The location of the pillars allowed the author to determine the division of the space into four rooms and a bathroom. In order not to disturb the historic walls, electrical and plumbing installations were routed along the wall, giving an industrial look to the interiors.
There is also a store with organic products on the site of the mill
© Weronika Kuzma
library, ecological store and beehives
Thelibrary and study space are located on the first floor of the northeast wing, directly below the youngest children's bedrooms. On the road side, the glass in the enlarged window openings has been replaced with glass blocks. The introduced glass blocks provide visual separation from the busy tourist trail - the mill belongs to the "Joseph Wybicki Trail."
The building is surrounded by a garden and beautiful nature
© Weronika Kuzma
The author also tried to take advantage of the natural wealth of the land belonging to the mill and the surrounding area. Nearby abandoned apiaries bear witness to the crafts and farming carried out. Older villagers also remember the beautiful gardens cultivated by the former mill owner. Thus, the introduction of a store offering organic preserves and honey products is a continuation of the mill's history, and the restoration of the beehives and use of the garden's potential, is one way to recreate the former occupations carried out at the facility.
