A {tag:studenci} from the Faculty of Architecture at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin proposed a center for animating local culture in the village of Pakuccie, Belarus. It is inspired by regional traditions, combining educational, cultural and recreational functions. Marta Kazaryna created a complex that not only preserves, but also promotes the cultural heritage of eastern Belarus, through architecture that is both modern and deeply rooted in traditions. The project was created under the supervision of Professor Krzysztof Bizio.
architecture of a historical village of the region
© Marta Kazyra
location with cultural context
The presented project refers to regional architectural traditions in a contemporary interpretation. It is an exposition of characteristic features expressed through the urban composition of the layout, form and tectonics, as well as color and material references.
The study area is located in the eastern part of Belarus, Mogilev region, in the Drybinskiy region, in the village of Pakuccie. The region is known for its traditional craft of shapoving - the processing of sheep's wool and the making of products from the hair. Documents related to this intangible heritage, concerning master shoemakers from the Drybin region, have been submitted to UNESCO for consideration. Analyzing both the contemporary situation and the historical cultural background, the author designed a craft center that will aim to protect and revive traditional crafts. By generating interest in local culture and traditions, the project is also expected to support the development of tourism in this part of Belarus.
land development
© Marta Kazyra
functional program
The project envisages the creation of an educational and recreational center operating year-round. Due to its location in a non-urban area, it was necessary to develop an extensive functional program. Key elements include a museum with an educational section, craft workshops, a catering section and a hotel building. In addition, the program was enriched with complementary functions, such as bathhouses, a mini zoo, a traditional homestead display area and an herb garden. The project focuses primarily on the detailed design of the three main buildings: the museum, the cafeteria and the hotel.
conceptual scheme of the urban composition
© Marta Kazyra
architectural-urban layout
When creating the compositional layout , the designer was inspired by the closed wreath-type scheme, characteristic of former homesteads in this ethnographic region of Belarus, where residential and farm buildings were arranged around an open courtyard. Due to the large area required by the center, functions were spread over several smaller buildings. This allowed the various parts of the complex to be better communicated and harmoniously linked to the surroundings, preventing the buildings from dominating the rural landscape.
visualization
© Marta Kazyra
search for form
The process of searching for building forms began with the archetype of the barn, and inspiration was freely drawn from local forms and materials. Eventually, a more expressive, modern form was chosen for the museum building, aiming to attract the attention and interest of visitors, encouraging them to enter the designed center. The architecture of the other buildings in the complex was designed in a quieter style, referring in shape and proportions to traditional rural buildings.
visualization
© Marta Kazyra
museum and cafe
The museum building consists of two parts, connected by a common hall: a two-story exhibition part and a single-story part, which houses the educatorium and a block of technical and storage rooms. The first floor is designed as a large, open exhibition space with no fixed partitions, which ensures its flexibility and modifiability. The north elevation of the hall is completely glazed, which allows the museum's interior to be integrated with the outdoor recreation area and provides visitors with direct contact with nature. The exhibition space on the first floor is quite different, as there are no windows - lighting is provided by skylights, whose shape refers to traditional hipped roofs, creating a coherent compositional element. The wide staircase, which connects the ground and first floor expositions, is sheltered by an openwork curtain wall, so it serves both a utilitarian and exhibition function, while also providing a place to relax.
facade of the museum
© Marta Kazyra
The café building architecturally develops the concept of the museum, creating together with it a continuous front of the development on the side of the road, connected by pergolas.
elevation of the café
© Marta Kazyra
hotel
The hotel building, located at a considerable distance from the road to ensure privacy for male and female residents, includes 25 residential units. Each unit consists of a double room, living room, bedroom and bathroom. Adjacent units are connected by a common area - the living room, which promotes networking among residents. The space has been designed with communal living in mind, aiming to create a friendly atmosphere reminiscent of life in a large country family.
facades of the hotel
© Marta Kazyra
structural layout
All buildings have been designed in timber frame construction. The advantage of this system is the free planning of interior space and the clear separation of functions of structural elements. The entire building structure designed from cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels made of softwood. The use of this type of construction allows you to create free spaces with a large span.
visualization
© Marta Kazyra
detailing and materials
The main idea of the project was to create a complex of buildings in the "building-plant" concept, i.e. environmentally friendly buildings, built with natural materials, harmoniously integrated into the surrounding landscape. For this reason, wood, which has long been used in the region, was chosen as the basic building material. The facades of the buildings were finished with wooden laths, which, together with the pergolas connecting the buildings, refer to the local tradition of wooden planking of facades and fences. Openwork exterior louvers cover the large glazings, which keeps the facade uniform, while interesting chiaroscuro effects are created in the interior. The designs of these blinds were inspired by the traditional motifs of the region's architectural decorations.
decorations
© Marta Kazyra
The interiors of the buildings are simple, minimalist, yet cozy. The project envisages that all interior elements, such as furniture and architectural details, are custom-made from wood of the same species, which ensures consistency between the interior and exterior. Building lighting, especially artificial lighting, emphasizes the rhythm set by the structural elements. The chandeliers in the food hall were specially designed, reflecting the motifs used in the decorative exterior blinds.
detail
© Marta Kazyra
ecological solutions
A photovoltaic panel farm and a transformer station are planned for the complex. This pro-ecological solution allows the facility to function autonomously without the need for a public power grid. The project also includes a rainwater retention system through the use of green roofs, as well as the collection of rainwater in special internal tanks for farm use.
visualization
© Marta Kazyra
