IDEA:
A deep analysis of the project's context led to two key conclusions. On one hand, there are still remnants of 19th-century brick architecture with an industrial character in the area. On the other hand, there is a rapid increase in new construction, mainly office buildings characterized by contemporary architectural details.
The shaping of the building's form reflects historical layers. By stacking levels and shifting them relative to each other, we achieve a distinctive shape while maintaining human scale and perception. The clear formal and material separation of the building's volumes creates a metaphor between what was and what is to come.
The proposed building aligns with the idea of rebuilding modern Warsaw but remains inextricably linked to its location. The volume, from the ground floor to the third floor, is constructed with multiple layers. The form, composed of several mutually shifted planes, results from the consistent application of specific rules rather than an imposed stylistic design, making it timeless. Overhangs, arcades, passageways, and terraces are all adapted to the specific conditions of the surroundings, ensuring the building does not create an architectural barrier but rather corresponds with its environment.
A separate aspect is the portion of the structure above the third floor. These floors form a compact block covered with a structural, reflective facade, creating a strong volumetric accent that highlights the corner exposure in the urban context.
Location: Wola, Warsaw
Authors: arch. Bartlomiej Zaboj, arch. Łukasz Piankowski
Area: 16,500 sqm
Project: 2020
Renders: Karol Sabalczyk (finm)