Students of the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology took part in a competition for an innovative and creative development of the Bohdan Lachert Square, as a nodal place in the space of Muranów. The jury awarded first place to the team consisting of: Dominika Bojarczyk, Zuzanna Pomaska, Krzysztof Reczulski.
The aim of the competition organized by the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology was to design a space of ecological activity in inner-city developments with a particular focus on problem areas:
- residential environment - relations and social and spatial processes,
- Cultural environment - cultural heritage and identity of the place,
- natural environment - landscape and ecosystem processes in the city,
- information environment - modern technologies and information processes.
The students' work was carried out as part of the Urban Eco-Active Prototype design seminar, conducted at the Faculty of Architecture of the Warsaw University of Technology using the Design Thinking and PBL (Problem Based Learning) methods, under the guidance of Dr. Magdalena Grochulska-Salak, Dr. Justyna Zdunek-Wielgołaska, Dr. Kinga Zinowiec-Ceiplik and Jakub Fanczuk.
First place for the Muranów oasis project
© Dominika Bojarczyk, Zuzanna Pomaska, Krzysztof Reczulski.
teamwork
Six student teams of three took part in the competition. The students' works were to take into account social and environmental conditions in connection with the tradition and identity of Muranow, and use modern technologies and materials. The task of the student teams was to prepare concepts for the development of the area that would respond to contemporary design challenges concerning:
- creating places for social integration and activity and improving the comfort of residents,
- connection with the work of Prof. Bohdan Lachert and the history, tradition and culture, of Muranów.
- creative pro-environmental solution of biologically active areas taking into account the needs of the urban ecosystem,
- biodiversity and rainwater retention,
- use of modern materials and digital technologies.
As a result, competition boards and films were created. The jury awarded two prizes.
First place - oasis in Muranow
The competition jury decided to award 1st place to the team consisting of: Dominika Bojarczyk, Zuzanna Pomaska, Krzysztof Reczulski. The students proposed interesting and functional spatial solutions maintaining the integrity of public space with pro-environmental solutions using modern technologies and innovative materials. The development of the square is an interesting urban interior that allows recreation and integration. The authors also thought about water retention, improving environmental quality and ecosystem processes.
The footbridge refers to the designs of Prof. Bohadan Lachert
© Dominika Bojarczyk, Zuzanna Pomaska, Krzysztof Reczulski.
As we read in the justification:
The jury appreciated the design decisions regarding communication, aesthetic, utilitarian and functional aspects. The design of seating in the shadow of the footbridge was considered particularly important for community integration. The design proposes rubble concrete retaining walls, which is a characteristic element of Muranów. The cascades of water refer to the fountain with stone frogs that existed here years ago. The idea of the footbridge is a reference to the original designs of Prof. Bohdan Lachert, who designed over Muranow streets (e.g. Nowolip) to run pedestrian routes as bridges or footbridges. The pinkish hue of the rubble concrete alludes to Muranow's design guidelines. The footbridge could also be an audience venue for concerts and performances held on the terrace at the library entrance. [...] Educational proposals also deserve appreciation, through the introduction of QR codes to disseminate information about the architect, Muranow and ecology, and the use of concrete cast-reliefs honoring the creator of Muranow and information about the history of the site.
Increasing biologically active areas was achieved by students through greenery in the ground and on structures spanning between the footbridge elements. Also important for improving the quality of the environment was the proposal of a line of trees isolating from the street, which is a reference to the existing previous solutions.
On the next page we present the work that received second place.
