The Faculty of Architecture at Poznań University of Technology and the Luboń Sports and Recreation Center organized a student competition for the concept of expansion and superstructure of an existing building - the Sportsman's House in Luboń near Poznań. The design task was an additional topic for an engineering thesis, aimed at architecture students in the last semester of their bachelor's degree. The jury considered the works of Natalia Popielec (First Prize), Natalia Siemieniuk (Second Prize) and Marta Nowak (Honorable Mention) as the best proposals.
The purpose of the competition was to select the best concepts for the new form of the currently existing sports facilities building of the Municipal Stadium in Luboń at 2 Rzeczna Street, taking into account the adaptation of the building to the contemporary and future needs of a modern sports facility. An important element was also to identify solutions that take into account the riverside location of the facility and the challenges associated with adapting the building to climate change.
The competition was won by the concept by Natalia Popielec
© Natalia Popielec
new Sportsman's House
During their work, the students had the opportunity to conduct a site visit and familiarize themselves with the investor's detailed guidelines during working meetings on the site, the works were also consulted by the staff of the Architecture Department - the thesis supervisors. The guidelines for the competition were developed taking into account the actual needs of the City of Luboń and the Company LOSIR, which is the manager of sports facilities in the city. These included - expansion of the existing accommodation with the necessary sanitary facilities and reception service, modernization of locker rooms for players and referees, location of additional warehouses, a practice room and catering area," says Dr. Barbara Swit-Jankowska, associate dean for student affairs at the Faculty of Architecture at Poznan University of Technology.
Honorable mention, site development plan
© Marta Nowak
An additional challenge that had to be met by the participants of the competition was to connect the modernized building with the other facilities and sports fields, as well as to provide parking spaces, take into account environmentally friendly technologies and the specific location of the facility in a flood zone.
two awards and one honorable mention
At the end of March 2022, the competition committee, consisting of the Commission Chairperson: Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Poznan University of Technology, Dr. Ewa Pruszewicz-Sipinska (Chair of the Commission, Dean of WA PP), Dorota Franek (Deputy Mayor of the City of Luboń), Zofia Giese, Agnieszka Ośmielak-Stankiewicz (WAPP), Dr. Piotr Zierke (WAPP) decided to award three projects.
First Prize went to Natalia Popielec, for work done under the direction of Prof. Anna Januchta-Szostak, Second Prize went to Natalia Siemieniuk for a project done under the direction of Dr. Rafał Graczyk, w Honorable Mention went to Marta Nowak, whose supervisor was Dr. Hanna Michalak.
First Prize in the competition for the design of the Sportsman's House, interior
© Natalia Popielec
During its deliberations, the competition committee assessed primarily the aesthetic and functional qualities of the concepts presented, including the fulfillment of the requirements in terms of basic parameters (number of beds, checkrooms) and the investor's requirements - adapting some of the rooms to the needs of people with disabilities, ensuring an appropriate number of sanitary facilities and connecting with the existing land development. An important element of the jury's assessment was the degree of use of the structure of the existing facility and its integration into the body of the designed building, as well as the quality of the proposed technical and material solutions. Preference was given to solutions that made it possible to give the existing building a form attractive to the user, meeting modern aesthetic standards, while taking into account the existing spatial context - single-family residential development, adds Dr. Barbara Swit-Jankowska.
The winning proposals may become a proposal for the investor. In the future, the Sportsman's House is to become a showpiece of Lubon - attracting residents and visitors and promoting a healthy, pro-ecological lifestyle.
Below are the projects that received First Prize and Honorable Mention.
First Prize, design: Natalia Popielec
Supervisor: Prof. Anna Januchta-Szostak
The author planned to add a part of the building on the first floor and superstructure the first floor
© Natalia Popielec
The winning project is a concept for the modernization of an existing building adapted to the contemporary and future needs of users of a modern sports facility. The main assumption of the author, due to ecological and economic aspects, was to leave as much of the existing building as possible. She planned the addition of a section of the building on the first floor and the superstructure of one floor. An important issue for her was to establish the building's zones so as to achieve maximum functionality and convenience. On the first floor and level -1 there is a sports area with a multipurpose room and technical and social areas. While on the first floor is the accommodation part.
first floor plan and surroundings
© Natalia Popielec
The proposed changes will make it possible to modernize the form of the building, its energy parameters and improve the legibility of the functional zones. An additional goal of the student was to introduce pro-environmental solutions that take into account the threats posed by climate change and the riverside location of the building within which it is located. She used an extensive green roof technology, a rainwater storage tank and photovoltaic panels. In front of the building, she also planned to create infiltration basins with retaining walls surrounded by specially selected greenery.
elevations of the building
© Natalia Popielec
The search for the form of the Sportsman's House building was a time-consuming process, during which several proposals emerged. The second floor was overhung on three sides in relation to the first floor, and on the east side the part with the staircase was moved back, thanks to which I obtained some dynamics and highlighted in an interesting way the place where the structure changes, says the author.
The first floor elevation is decorated with white silicone exterior plaster, while the pedestal is concrete. Breaking the composition is a vertical facade board of Siberian larch. Contrast is provided by the finishing of the window openings, woodwork and glazing frames in anthracite color.
Honorable mention, proj.: Marta Nowak
Supervisor: Hanna Michalak, Ph.
bird's eye view of the Sportsman's House
© Marta Nowak
The existing building has one underground and one above-ground floor. It is used mainly by athletes using the stadium. It is adjacent to single-family houses, as well as a large amount of greenery and the Warta River. The area has great design potential, so it was important for me to take advantage of it and create a place to encourage the community to use the facility," explains Marta Nowak.
The designed space is to serve everyone
© Marta Nowak
The student's main assumptions were: the multifunctionality of the facility, its full adaptation to the needs of people with disabilities and the use of pro-environmental solutions.
It was important that the designed space could serve everyone - city residents, visitors and athletes. However, the original function of the building should not have been overlooked and it should have been adapted to the current and future needs of a sports facility, the designer added.
The author proposed a sports section as well as a hotel and catering area
© Marta Nowak
Marta Nowak designed sports locker rooms and two exercise rooms that can be combined into one larger one. In the superstructure she introduced a hotel part consisting of sixteen double rooms. She directed the windows of some of them toward the river and greenery, and situated the rest toward the stadium. There was also room for a relaxation and rest area, and a small catering business on the first floor.
first floor plan of the Sportsman's House
© Marta Nowak
During the design process, the author paid a lot of attention to the proper zoning and arrangement of all functions, so as to create a user-friendly functional layout. To adapt the building to climate change, the student used, among other things, a green roof, photovoltaic panels and heating with a heat pump.
The facades are covered with air-purifying concrete slabs
© Marta Nowak
The development area indicated by the investor gave the opportunity to create an interesting and simple block, which fits well into the existing context. I covered the facade with air-purifying concrete sl abs and vertical metal profiles that give the whole buildinga sporty character. A large number of glazing in the first floor section allows the inner and outer parts of the building to intermingle," the author concludes.
