SECOND PRIZE IN A NATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION
AUTHORS: Piotr Hardecki Architect and Agnieszka Kacprzak
The designed building forms a fragment of the frontage of Świderska Street on the axis of Ćmielowska Street. The scale and the intensity of development on the plot gradually decreases as it approaches the valuable riverside natural areas.
The main entrances to the school and kindergarten have been accentuated with cosy entrance squares. In addition to their utility values, they will have social functions (meeting places, markets, festivals). The school will serve the local community, after school hours the gymnasium, library, dining room, common rooms and selected teaching studios adjacent to the forum are available to residents.
The internal spaces of the school have been divided into smaller groups (clusters) to accommodate class groups. Classrooms for younger children are located on the ground floor, while classrooms for older students were located on the floors adjacent to large terraces opening towards the Vistula River. In the central part of the building there is a multifunctional space for the integration of the school community. All classrooms are provided with adequate natural lighting and sunlight.
After school hours, the outdoor area can be used by residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods. The riparian forest will ultimately remain unfenced, continuing to act as an ecological corridor of the Vistula valley. The development of the riparian forest has been limited to the necessary minimum. The fenced area of the school was connected with the riparian forest by a wooden footbridge over the depression.
The compact form and simple architectural expression will reduce construction and maintenance costs. Ground levelling and basement space will be kept to a minimum.