Last year a competition for the revitalization of the historic park next to the Schön Palace in Sosnowiec, in which students of the Silesian University of Technology participated, was settled. The competition was settled, the best concept was chosen, but the actions directed at revitalizing the space stood on that. Why can't the activities move forward?
The revitalization concerns the historic Schön Park, which is part of a palace and park complex located in the northwestern part of Sosnowiec. It features two 19th-century palaces. One of them houses the Sosnowiec Museum, whose employees take care of the park on a daily basis. The complex was built in 1884 by the Schön brothers, who worked in the textile industry. The park consists of water systems, hills, bridges and park pavilions. All of these, along with the palaces, are connected by paved alleys. Undoubtedly, this complex is one of the most important historical sites for Sosnowiec. Due to its age, however, Schön Park needs to be renovated and some of its spaces given new functions, so last year it was decided that the Sosnowiec Museum would organize a competition to help select the best revitalization concept that would inspire the implementation project.
Schön Park currently
© Stimoroll (Wikipedia)
Schön Palace, which houses the Sosnowiec Museum
© Stimoroll (Wikipedia)
Students propose concepts for revitalization
The director of the Sosnowiec Museum, Pawel Dusza, proposed that architecture students from the Silesian University of Technology, studying under Agata Twardoch, among others, take part. The task was to develop a concept for the revitalization of the historic park. Particular emphasis was decided on the renovation of historic elements and giving a new function to unused areas, once used as allotment gardens. The competition received 36 works. Ultimately, four prizes and three honorable mentions were awarded. According to the jury, the best concept was proposed by Kajetan Rakoczy, which, among other things, envisaged a wall opening to new areas, a skatepark and riverside seating. In addition, it proposed solutions that the competition organizers expected. Kajetan Rakoczy's design can be seen below.
Project for revitalization of Schön Park in Sosnowiec
vision: Kajetan Rakoczy
Project for revitalization of Schön Park in Sosnowiec
vision: Kajetan Rakoczy
Project of revitalization of Park Schöna in Sosnowiec
© Kajetan Rakoczy
difficulties in taking further action
After the student competition was decided, the topic of revitalizing the park fell silent. The matter attracted the interest of councilors, who, during one of the last meetings of the Culture, Sports and Recreation Commission, inquired of the museum's management and representatives of the Sosnowiec Municipality (which officially manages the facility, but does not own it) what to do next with the project.
A concept is always a starting topic. The students' ideas are not blueprints to be implemented, but rather proposals indicating directions for discussion and thinking about this space. As a museum, we are animating the topic and voicing our readiness to support the city hall as it embarks on revitalizing the park. I hope that this will happen soon, because this is the only historic park in Sosnowiec that is still waiting for its moment ," Pawel Dusza explained to councilors. (Source: "Gazeta Wyborcza")
Dusza added that the park area is under the care of museum staff all the time. He also announced that it may soon be necessary to carry out repair work on, among other things, the surface of the alleys.
In turn, Anna Jedynak, the Sosnowiec mayor's plenipotentiary, argued that the city is taking the project to revitalize the historic Schoen Park seriously. And Councilman Pawel Wojtusiak added that if a final construction project is created, the city will seek subsidies for its implementation. He also suggested that park employees could help develop the project.
Pawel Dusza explains that because the park, along with the palaces, are in private hands, any activity that interferes with the current state of the buildings is difficult.
The same problem arises when we have celebrations at the palace, where there are a lot of guests. We pay attention, but it doesn't always help. I'm in favor of limiting traffic in the park to the minimum necessary ," commented Pawel Dusza. (Source: "Gazeta Wyborcza")
elaborated: Katarzyna Domagała
