The 22nd edition of the KOŁO competition for the conceptual design of a building with a public toilet function for Warsaw' s Royal Baths is underway. The competition received 300 works presenting a very diverse approach to the subject, from classic pavilion designs to modern objects. Now it's time for Internet users to vote.
The KOŁO competition has been encouraging young architects to design micro objects with a public toilet function in Polish cities for 22 years. This year's edition set participants a unique task. For the partner of the competition is the Royal Baths Park, which is visited every year by more than three million tourists from around the world. The unusual place forced an unusual approach to design - a combination of tradition and respect for the value of monuments with modernity and creativity of young architects. It is also crucial to use solutions that will enable access to the building for all audiences, including audiences with special needs - people with disabilities or the elderly.
You can find out more about the competition's objectives, rules and jury here.
space of the place in your hands
In addition to the main competition, in which projects are judged by a jury, an internet users' prize will also be awarded. From among the submitted works, you can now choose your favorite project. Internet voting gives residents a real opportunity to influence the urban fabric around them. You can cast your vote every day until June 11 on the contest website.
According to Przemyslaw Powalacz, president of Geberit Poland:
When selecting the best projects, we always try to make them something more for the residents - a playground for children, an information point, a bike rack, a creative space or simply a place where one spends time pleasantly. However, we must not forget the importance of their primary function - a public toilet. Today's times make us realize with great force how important it is for us to have hygiene and, above all, access to it in urban space, which is still not easy to find. We want to co-create places that will stay with people for a long time, performing a number of important functions. In doing so, we focus on good design and functional architecture. The quality of the works is supervised by outstanding specialists. The jury of our competition has for years included Professor Ewa Kurylowicz. Robert Konieczny is also a juror.
The problem is real - one public toilet in Warsaw falls on 4,200 people. The situation in the country looks even worse - one public toilet per 12,000 residents. Let's hope that the KOŁO initiative will contribute at least a little to changing this situation.
Theresults of the competition will be known on June 22 this year.
compiled by: Dobrawa Bies
illustrations provided courtesy of the organizers.
