Third Prize
20 thousand PLN gross

project
PRAZA architects

Jury Opinion

In a huge, cuboid brick block the complete set functional and utility program was accommodated. By dividing the facade into horizontal zones ("basements"-"services"-"apartments") and vertical sections (suggesting the gables of several tenements), an attempt was made to avoid dominating the intimate space of the surroundings and to repeat the scale of the historic buildings of the old town.

The relocation of the main auditorium for 300 people to levels +1 and +2 made it possible to create a compositional and functional axis in levels -1 and +/-o connecting the entrance from the market with the green passage running from the west. Also from this side, in the space of the lobby at the main entrance, a sculptural fan-shaped staircase was located, breaking the orthogonal aesthetics of the building.

The auditorium was designed with proper separation of the paths of spectators, actors and stage staff.

Natural lighting was provided for many of the halls with large, square windows.

In terms of the building's energy efficiency, in addition to the described high insulation of partitions with the elimination of thermal bridges, many other technical solutions were envisaged, such as photovoltaic panels, solar panels, recuperation or rainwater recovery (gray water).

The competition court considered excessive the unlimited view of the building's interior, including classrooms, through dozens of huge windows (each measuring about 3 × 3 m). The scale of the glazing also conflicts with the idea of a passive building emphasized in the description, especially since the vast majority of the windows are on the north facade.

The court's doubts are also raised by the remote route from the main entrance on level -1 to the auditorium, which is located on level +1 (and +2).