It's called coming back to life! After years of slow deterioration, Betonhaus - a unique exhibition pavilion in Poznan's Wilson Park - looks like from under the needle and attracts crowds. This is thanks to a successful revaluation and reconstruction by CDF Architects.
The so-called Betonhaus is one of three surviving buildings erected specifically for the East German Exhibition of Industry, Crafts and Agriculture in 1911. And the only one that still stands in the same place - on the edge of Wilson Park in the historic Lazarus district, near the Fair and the Central Station. After the exhibition, in fact, two of the dozens of objects were moved to other locations. The hall of one of the restaurants stood in Sołacki Park (recently renovated it operates as Port Sołacz), and the church of a model settlement village (as part of Germanization) was moved near Poznań (today an outlying district of Krzesiny).
Betonhaus during the East German Exhibition in 1911 - the brewery chimney in the background
source: Garvest
concrete for antlers
The Concrete Hall of the Silesian Concrete Building Society (that was the full name of Betonhaus) had a permanent, ground-bound structure. So it remained in its place: by today's Wilson Park (then: the Botanical Garden), which served as one of the exhibition grounds. The pavilion had a modern reinforced concrete structure, but the form was traditional (a common case in the early 20th century, such as the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris by Augusth Perret). The result was a one-story building with a symmetrical layout and a steep roof with a deep columnar arcade between the two extreme risalits. The main hall, two stories high, gained a barrel-vaulted , decorative vault. Beneath the roof slopes was a roof truss made of concrete beams. In 1911 the Betonhaus displayed... the Emperor's hunting trophies. Such displays were the norm until World War II. Suffice it to mention that Poland sent the effects of President Moscicki's hunting trophies to the 1939 World Exhibition in New York .
Betonhaus as a musical instrument hall during the 1929 General National Exhibition
Source: Garvest
In the interwar period, the hall was taken over by the Physical Education Studio of the newly established University of Poznan. During the 1929 General National Exhibition, musical instruments were exhibited here. Later, athletes returned. In recent decades, Betonhaus served the students of the Academy of Physical Education. In 2013, however, the university sold the heavily used building to a private investor. Not without controversy, as it had previously received it for a symbolic zloty from the City - with teaching purposes in mind.
'Betonhaus', Poznań, state before prtzebud in 2022.
photo: CDF Architects
In this way Betonhaus has become an element of a larger Garvest investment: the Perfumiarnia residential complex being erected according to a design by JEMS Architekci between Wilson Park and Sniadeckich and Glogowska streets. The project consists of three parts: a residential one on the site of the demolished buildings of the former cosmetics factory, a fragment of the historic Hugger's brewery and, precisely, the Betonhaus. The most spectacular apartment buildings open to the park were put into operation a year ago (we showed the first stage of the project in: Luxury Estate from JEMS Architekci). Construction of the remaining parts is expected to be completed in spring 2026.
'Betonhaus', the main hall under reconstruction
Photo: CDF Architects
inaccurate Germans
Poznan-based CDF Architects, which - in addition to many contemporary office and residential projects - has an award-winning adaptation of historic post-military buildings and the reconstruction of an eclectic tenement house, is responsible for the design of the renovation and expansion of Betonhaus, connected to a section of the former brewery. Also currently under construction is the expansion of Poznan's historic orthopedic hospital complex with a new wing by CDF.
'Betonhaus', Poznań, construction work in an exposed arcade
photo: CDF Architects
Betonhaus proved to be a challenge, because - contrary to the myth of German precision - the hastily built nw Exhibition Hall was not made perfectly. Numerous curves and shortcomings troubled designers and contractors. The strained flat ceiling of one of the side sections also had to be demolished and replaced with a reconstruction. Similar work included the terrace located above the arcade. New concrete stairs leading to the top were also built. The basement was enlarged to house catering facilities and staff welfare rooms.
'Betonhaus', Poznań, state after restoration and reconstruction by CDF Architekci, interior design of the central hall by Stanislaw Lakinski studio.
photo: Przemyslaw Turlej
The building also had to have the long-standing layers removed: the checkrooms and storerooms separated by walls, and the outer wall, which was enclosed by a columnar arcade. In accordance with conservation guidelines, care was taken to restore the old window divisions (from the front), to preserve the shape of the balustrades and to carefully expose the interior wall decoration covered for decades with many layers of paint. The attic - hitherto empty - was densely filled with wires and technical installations. As a result - also in accordance with preservationists' requirements - the roof was not disfigured by any pipes and equipment.
'Betonhaus', Poznań, state after revaluation and reconstruction by CDF Architects, arcade with glass partition
Photo: Przemyslaw Turlej
not only for tenants
The re-exposed arcade was equipped with a collapsible glass partition allowing to use this place also in cold weather. In addition, in one of its corners the architects incorporated a ribbon of interlocking stairs leading directly to the terrace. From the rear, the Betonhaus was connected to the former brewery by a new single-story connector. Its wall emphasizes its contemporary pedigree by lining it with mirror-like "bricks."
'Betonhaus', Poznań, state after revaluation and reconstruction by proj. CDF Architects. The connector between the former brewery and Betonhaus
photo: Przemyslaw Turlej
The connector, smaller than originally planned, made it possible to create a small wooded courtyard between the brewery, the "Perfumery" houses and the southern risalit of Betonhaus. The courtyard is open and can be reached from Sniadeckich Street. The brewery section, enriched with new windows, will include a spa (in the basement), a multipurpose room on the first floor (under the characteristic brick vaults) and offices - on the first floor. The whole building is open to the public, contrary to earlier plans by the investor, who wanted to place reception and service rooms at the back of Betonhaus only for Perfumery residents.
'Betonhaus', Poznań, state after revaluation and reconstruction by CDF Architekci, renovated part of the former brewery visible from Sniadeckich Street, Betonhaus - in depth
Photo: Przemyslaw Turlej
Betonhaus, which has been opening successively for more than a month, has immediately attracted Poznań residents. Two restaurants are already operating inside, and a third - the last one - is also opening. The southern risalit houses the Black Crocodile, for which the interiors and furnishings respecting old architecture were designed by Adam Wiercinski.
'Betonhaus', Poznań, state after revaluation and reconstruction by CDF Architects - "Black Crocodile" - interior designed by Adam Wierciński
Source: studio of Adam Wiercinski
The largest and most grandiose central section houses a unit called Petit Paris, while the northern risalit houses Medusa. The interiors of both of these units were designed by Stanislaw Lakinski's studio .
