The question for designers and architects creating largely domestic life for all people is: what and how should change in the future? How should we design so that our houses and apartments can fulfill many functions, not only those related to their idea - a place of rest and shelter?
Coronavirus has confined Poles to homes, to which it has given completely new functions. The dwelling has ceased to be just a private space where we rest and spend time with loved ones, it has also become a place for work, study, physical activity, entertainment, that is, an area where our entire life is focused. This situation makes us reflect on the quality of the spaces we inhabit, their spaciousness, ergonomics and adaptability to our new lifestyle. We asked studios working with PFR Real Estate S.A. about how the pandemic might affect future housing projects and how to design human-friendly spaces.
Maciej Kowalczyk, a partner in the 22ARCHITEKCI office.
Designers of the Nowy Nikiszowiec estate in Katowice and Nowe Jeziorki in Warsaw.
The topic of habitation, or more specifically, the quality of the living space around us, has become extremely topical during the pandemic. It seems that under its influence, many people have begun to notice those elements that were previously overlooked when choosing an apartment.
In addition to solutions for the interior itself, gardens, balconies, loggias, terraces - in a word, all those spaces that make it easier for us to be outside - have gained in importance. In our projects, we have always tried to ensure that each apartment has access to such a space, with a minimum of space for setting up a table and chairs, or the ability to freely be outdoors.
As important as the private spaces are, the common spaces turn out to be just as important. What matters is whether we are provided with a high-quality semi-public space in our neighborhood, that is, one that is mainly accessible to residents and provides us with recreational opportunities. A classic example of such a space are segregated interiors of quarters with an inner courtyard, playground, benches and greenery. No cars. We used such a solution in the project of New Jeziorek in Warsaw's Ursynów district. Here, the interiors of the quarters are elevated to the level of the 1st floor and provide an internal, easily accessible space for residents.
Access to services is important to the quality of habitation. Not only to those commercial ones understood as stores, kiosks or small services, but also those of a social nature - nurseries, kindergartens, libraries, clinics. Their proximity increases our comfort of the place where we live, then we have everything "next door". It is also good if one thinks about these places already at the stage of the design concept. Then appropriate spaces are reserved for them, rather than focusing on designing as many apartments as possible, as is usually the case in strictly real estate development projects. The return in terms of comfort is much higher than more square meters built.
We hope to achieve just such a quality of living space in the Nowy Nikiszowiec development in Katowice, which is being built by PFRN, where we thought about the best possible access to services already at the stage of the architectural design competition. However, the final verification of our assumptions will be carried out, as usual, by the residents. We hope for the positive.
22ARCHITEKCI, Katowice Mining Dorobku Street
© 22ARCHITEKCI
Błażej Małczyński, partner in the MH architekci office.
Designers of the housing estate on Paderewskiego Street in Olawa.
The Vitruvian triad: firmitas, utilitas, venustas - durability, utility, beauty - has defined the principles of design - the creation of architecture - since the 1st century BC. Increasingly, however, the range of tasks facing the designer is expanding to include factors arising from changes brought about by lifestyles.
There is no clear definition for defining a friendly space. Trying to find a universal key is, by definition, doomed to failure. Each of us has a slightly different idea about it. Before our eyes - in the era of pandemics - the meaning of space is taking on a new meaning. Maybe we are in for another evolution? Maybe we will work from home more often? Renting office space costs money.
As civilization progresses, the pattern of optimal living space continues to evolve. This is compounded by issues of custom (home-fortress vs. open house), cultural (home-family vs. home-bedroom), social (multi-generational home - as a nest for years, or - by design - a stop on the road of life).
Finally, the all-important question of accessibility. Is a comfortable aesthetic space the most important goal of our material struggles, or are we guided by minimalism - locating the field of our activity in other areas? Will our self-sacrifice to acquire a nest make sense when our children tie their future to another place - perhaps in another country?
One thing is certain. In every period, every era, there is a demand for cheap simple and functional housing - for young people standing at the start of life. Dedicated to families: 2+1 - 2+2. Realizing a simple minimalist functional scheme as an attempt at an optimized answer - a balance between price, relative comfort, security - but also a base for realizing one's own preferences, individual higher ambitions.
Mariusz Jasinski, S.A.M.I. ARCHITEKCI Sp. z o.o.
Designers of estates in Toruń on Okólna Street and in Zgorzelec on Lubańska Street
In the "Pokoronavirus" era, due to changing economic opportunities, more attention should be paid to designing apartments that are more compact and maximally ergonomic. The proportions of the rooms should be close to the 3/2 format. With limited apartment sizes, the issue of the possible mobility of partition walls (important for the creators of modernism) and the possibility of transforming the functions of living spaces in response to the changing needs of their users during the day recurs. Undoubtedly, an important issue is the provision of flexible use of common spaces in apartments.
S.A.M.I ARCHITECTS, Torun Okólna Street
© S.A.M.I ARCHITEKCI
The living room is not only a place for daily family meetings, entertaining, spending time together and relaxing. The living room space should easily be able to be transformed into a workplace. Recent experience also indicates the need to include a possible workspace within the bedroom or to set up a separate workspace in the apartment - even if only a few square meters. Enabling daily contact with nature through appropriate treatment of balconies and terraces (views and greenery), as well as carefully designed greened common spaces within the estates, is essential for the basic needs of their residents - it unequivocally has a positive impact on the quality of life.
PFR Real Estate cares about the high quality of the architecture of its developments. The best solutions are often sought through architectural and urbanplanning competitions. So far, competitions have been held for the design of housing estates in Warsaw, Cracow and Katowice, among others. A competition is underway for the concept of a housing estate to be built in Wroclaw on Zatorska Street. The future investment, located in the northeastern part of the city, will accommodate more than 1,100 apartments.
elabor. ed.
based on press materials
