Work submitted for the competition
"Best Interior Diploma 2021/2023".
The title of the thesis—"Renaissance of black gold"—is symbolic of the rebirth of the Skrzynski castle. „Black gold” was called oil, which for centuries was the treasure of the Gorlice land. The master's thesis is intended to be a message that will contribute to the revival, restoration and flourishing of the existing architectural fabric through the adaptation and adjustment of the building to new functions.
suite and arcade (juxtaposition of existing/historic and designed state)
© Aleksandra Klińska
The Skrzynski Castle was in ruins for many years, threatened with collapse. It was looted, stripped of elements of outstanding architecture. The last investor decided to save the place from total destruction. Unfortunately, he did not manage to complete his mission. So I am trying to realize, at least in part, the mission of Professor Bogusław Frańczuk.
first floor and first floor plan
© Aleksandra Klińska
Skrzynski Castle consists of one underground and three above-ground floors. Due to the large area of the building (2400 square meters), each of them has been divided into its dominant functional and utility program. The goal is to achieve clear divisions that will allow users to organize different activities and not interfere with each other. This is very important, as the castle will house a congress center for science and art, thematic rooms, a hotel, a restaurant, a recreation and rehabilitation zone, as well as spaces for exhibitions and open-air events.
convention hall (juxtaposition of existing/historical and designed state)
© Aleksandra Klińska
For whom is the castle and park complex intended? The complex was prepared with the academic communities of science and art in mind. It has been adapted for holding conferences, presentations, lectures, vernissages, exhibitions inside the castle. The scientific community will have access to a small laboratory where demonstrations, chemical experiments related to the processing of kerosene and paraffin can be organized. The demonstrations will make it possible to show the special properties of the raw material extracted in the region. On the other hand, the artistic community will have access to thematic halls, numerous lobbies, corridors, a courtyard and a park for the organization of permanent and temporary exhibitions, vernissages, presentations, lectures.
Interior of one of the suites and the library room
© Aleksandra Klińska
The hotel's recreational program at the castle involves the promotion of paraffin therapy. People requiring rehabilitation (including those practicing sports) and those visiting the facility for recreational purposes will benefit from physiotherapy treatments based, among other things, on paraffin therapy.
cross-section A-A
© Aleksandra Klińska
The palace and castle complex, along with the adjacent park, will also be available to local residents and tourists. After a visit to the construction site, a general inspection of the castle's interiors, inspired by the rawness of the brick, the new ceilings, the restored window woodwork, I decided that I would not make a literal reconstruction in the project. I wanted to leave a certain rawness of the place, making it clear that the interior of the building had been completely devastated. I also had access to archival photographs that showed the saturation of the interior, its beauty and richness. I decided to preserve the architectural fabric without disturbing it, interfering only where necessary.
arcade and projection of the 1st floor and attic
© Aleksandra Klińska
I think that my interpretation of the existing condition and the history of the Skrzynski castle became a value, a determinant for design activities and a condition for the choices I made. I believe that recreating what has already been created, pretending to be 19th century interiors, makes little sense and is doomed to failure.
entrance to the designed building
© Aleksandra Klińska
I am trying to reread the spaces of the castle in a non-obvious and non-literal way. The interiors I proposed are my commentary, saying that it is not worth recreating interiors from which nothing has survived anymore, just to show how people lived. The most important motivation for the action was a passage from an interview with the last of the investors, Bogusław Frańczuk, who, talking about the activities at the Skrzynski castle, concluded: "I can't imagine such a place being forgotten."
Aleksandra KLIŃSKA
Illustrations: © Author
