In the heart of Gliwice, where history intertwines with modernity, a building has been constructed that differs significantly from the other buildings in the area. However, an attentive passer-by will notice, in this modern building, references to the past. Today, the H11 Boutique Office is becoming an element of the transformation of a neighborhood in need of revitalisation, as well as a pretext for an important dialogue - how to design today so that modern buildings fit into the urban space in a sustainable manner while respecting the past.

The H11 Boutique Office in Gliwice is an office building of high utility standard, built on the site of a railway building from the early 20th century.

Context
Particularly important for the redevelopment concept of the building is its location in the inner city, on the border of the railway area. This is where the buildings characteristic of patron railway construction were realised at the beginning of the last century. The brick buildings, with their pitched roofs, contrast with the neighbouring typically urban, tenement quarter buildings. These two distinct building styles, facing each other on a single street, provide a significant contrast in the approach to the way the city was formed.

Challenge 1: Preserving memory
As the railway successively abandons its buildings, they lose their original function. They become derelicts, fall into disrepair and are difficult to adapt to modern standards and user expectations. This was the case with this building, which was not suitable for restoration due to its poor condition.
However, it must be remembered that the past, especially in architecture, is never irrelevant. Therefore, in designing the new building, the memory of the previous one was preserved - although not explicitly. An attentive passer-by will notice traces of the original building - the dark outline of the former building block with its sloping roof and, on closer inspection, synthetic relief of the historic openings, cornices and bands.

Challenge 2: The requirements of the present day
The city is changing. New developments should not only reflect this process, but respond to contemporary standards and user needs.
Therefore the façade of H 11 creates a primarily contemporary composition. The building has been given a simple and clean form. Its metallic surface reflects the surrounding greenery, buildings, the sky. It changes according to the view direction, time of day, weather, seasons. It reacts to the city and interacts with it. In addition, the abstract, athectonic composition of the new, large windows permeates and unifies the building. This is architecture that consciously refers to the surroundings and, despite its large dimensions, responds to the need to balance spatial elements and reconcile various scales and conventions.

Utility and ecology
In terms of construction, part of the basement and external walls of the building were adapted. The remaining elements, due to their poor condition, as well as the need to meet technical conditions in terms of accessibility, fire conditions, evacuation, energy-saving and ecological issues, were newly constructed. The building gained additional floors - a total of 5 usable floors with flexible office functions, a new entrance with an added comfortable staircase with passenger lift. Designing in accordance with BREEAM environmental certification standards ensures appropriate conditions for the accessibility and comfort of employees, as well as energy acquisition and savings. The building is designed to provide comprehensive environmental and cost optimisation.

Dialogue with the city
The building takes into account different objectives and users. It responds to the client's expectations and at the same time is intended to serve its surroundings. It is meant to relate, to take into account the context, but also to create new ones and create dialogue. The H11 Boutique Office in Gliwice is the result of the architects' holistic approach to urban design:
"Our projects are conceptually linked to each other - by a common way of thinking about space and the user. Narrative and abstraction - terms that briefly describe our approach: objects create meaning and stories, but we avoid literalism and operate with concise means." - says Krzysztof Zalewski, author of the object.

Object name: H11 BOUTIQUE OFFICE IN GLIWICE
Author of the project: Zalewski Architecture Group
Architects: Krzysztof Zalewski,
Design collaboration: Paweł Zalewski, Patrycja Dapa - Rylukowska,
Author of photographs: Tomasz Zakrzewski / Archifolio
Location: Gliwice, Silesia
Implementation date: 2024