In her project, {tag:studenci} from the Academy of Art in Szczecin created a vision of a place that not only restores usability to a degraded area, but also rebuilds the relationship between man and nature. SanaTerra is a concept for the revitalization of the former Gródek quarry in Jaworzno, envisioning a leisure complex that harmoniously integrates architecture with the surrounding landscape.
main building
© Aleksandra Waluk
revitalization as a healing process
The main idea of the project is based on the creation of a space that responds to the needs of contemporary users and the local community. The very name of the complex - SanaTerra - is a combination of Latin words meaning healing and earth, which reflects well its character: it is a space for the renewal of body and spirit. The project envisages the rehabilitation of the Wydra reservoir and the creation of a complex that fits in with the ideas of sustainable, organic and contextual architecture.
main building © Aleksandra Waluk 
architecture immersed in the landscape
The form of the buildings at SanaTerra follows directly from the natural relief of the site. The main building, containing the restaurant, spa area and gym, "winds" along the shore, creating a linear structure that reinforces the contact with the water surface. The resort cottages - both on the water and on the cliffs - are designed with privacy and tranquility in mind. Their circular plan and minimalist functional module create conditions for reflection, yoga practice or meditation.
modular house © Aleksandra Waluk 
The materials used in the project were chosen with the history of the site in mind. Gabions filled with stone cover the facade of the main building, which symbolically restores parts of the quarry in a new form. Objects were made of wood, glass and local stone, emphasizing the connection to the context and attention to the material ecological footprint.
Complementary functions and social integration
The project involves not only recreation, but also education and physical activity. Climbing walls, observation decks, teaching paths with geological tables and workshop spaces are envisioned. This allows SanaTerra to serve not only tourists, but also the local community and schools as a place for learning and integration.
The project also incorporates commercial functions, which strengthens its self-financing capabilities. The integrated gastronomic, hotel and recreational functions create a complex that operates year-round, enriching the region's offer.
interior of the lodge © Aleksandra Waluk 
from ruins to relations
SanaTerra is not just an architectural project, but the idea of rebuilding the relationship between man and place. The former quarry, hitherto degraded and inaccessible, regains its significance and is transformed into a space of hospitality and contemplation.
rest cottages © Aleksandra Waluk 
Aleksandra Waluk shows that architecture can be a tool for transformation: aesthetic, social and emotional. SanaTerra is a project that integrates nature, memory and modern design thought. It is a model of revitalization that can inspire the adaptation of many similar forgotten sites.
