Can a chaotic, irregular square used so far as an economic space be developed in an interesting way? Is it possible to reconcile a parking lot with trees, while maintaining proportions between the various functions? This shows the example of the reconstruction of the square in Lwówek Slaski, which was developed by Revision. Design Group.
The immediate surroundings are the showcase of the institution, and this is what the designers were guided by when they created the space around the Lwówek Śląski Forest District. The new form of the square was determined by its changing function, taking into account the need to organize the chaos.
axonometric projection of the square
© Revision. Design group
Krzysztof Grześków (Rewizja. Design Group) talks about the process of metamorphosis, changes in space and preservation of the trees around the cars.
Wiktor Bochenek: The square at the Forestry Commission complex was a utility yard and at the same time a parking lot - how did its metamorphosis come about?
Krzysztof Grześków: In 2019, the Lwówek Śląski Forest District announced a tender for documentation entitled "Reconstruction of office and garage buildings and development of the area adjacent to the Lwówek Śląski Forest District building." Already after the first site visit we knew that the most important word for the project would be "order". Chaotic, irregularly shaped, black, asphalt-flooded parking and farm yard. Surrounding it were sheds for farm machinery, terraced garages designed for official vehicles and a carpenter's shop that had long since ceased to serve its purpose. This is what the headquarters of the Lwówek Śląski Forest District looked like in 2019, and this is how the "backyards" of state institutions or the interiors of city quarters often look so far. The cars in the foreground, the clutter and the "deplorable" state of repair are hardly a worthy representation of an institution that should operate efficiently, pro-socially and in an organized manner.
Can the chaotic, irregular square used so far as an economic space be developed in an interesting way?
© Revision. Design group
Wiktor Bochenek: How was the layout of this square changed? Which elements were taken out of it?
Krzysztof Grześków: First of all, we decided to put the farm buildings in order (by partially demolishing them and moving them to the elevated southern part of the site). As a result, all agricultural machinery that disturbed the representative character of the square disappeared. The next step was to regulate the shape of the parking slab by building a ramp and "almost white" retaining walls to emphasize the rectangular shape of the designated space. Then an orthogonal grid was applied to the whole, and at this point the order already existed.
Wiktor Bochenek: Where did the idea to use openwork spaces come from - the question of permeability?
Krzysztof Grześków: After making the most important decisions about the form of the square and working out a functional plan relating to the interaction of the buildings, the design game began. We wanted the created space to be as human-friendly as possible. Some fields were filled with openwork paving, some with gravel, and some with greenery.
38 trees were planted in the square
Photo: Maciej Lulko
Wiktor Bochenek: Thesquare has room for a considerable number of trees - won't the construction of the square and parking cars harm their roots? Have you introduced any supportive solutions here?
Krzysztof Grześków: A total of 38 trees were planted in designated places, which now de facto create the unique character of the square. Around the plantings, buffer green zones of two 2 by 2 meters were made. The width of the parking spaces themselves was increased to 3.5 meters. Taking all this into account and the fact that the parking around the square was intended only for cars, it can be said that in this case trees and cars can coexist.
The biggest problem of the space at the Forestry Commission was the lack of representativeness
Photo: Maciej Lulko
Wiktor Bochenek: The square at the same time does not get rid of cars, it is possible to reconcile these functions with greenery, but also a representative form?
Krzysztof Grześków: Due to the open activity of the Forestry Commission (and the presence of numerous visitors), cars could not be completely eliminated, but now they no longer dominate the space. One could say that they appear and disappear behind the treetops, as do the employees who walk daily between the main office, the conference room and the offices located in three separate buildings.
The designers wanted the square to be as human-friendly as possible
Photo: Maciej Lulko
Wiktor Bochenek: What was the most difficult part of this implementation, and what gave you the most satisfaction?
Krzysztof Grześków: This project is full of unconventional solutions, and such solutions are very easy to criticize. The process of implementing the project was extremely turbulent. The satisfaction is, of course, the greatest is the form.
Wiktor Bochenek: Thank you for the interview!
Buffer green zones were made around the plantings
Photo: Maciej Lulko
