At a time when technology is constantly changing our daily lives, many traditional professions and services are disappearing, giving way to modern solutions. In his work, created under the supervision of Prof. Tadeusz Pietrzkiewicz and Daria Bolewicka at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk, {tag:studenci} took up the challenge of restoring the memory of these forgotten professions. His project "Forgotten" is an attempt to revive the spirit of the old days in a modern form, while responding to the needs of modern society.
umbrella maker
© Hubert Białk
disappearing professions
With the development of technology and changing lifestyles, many professions and activities that were once an integral part of everyday life have disappeared or become rare. Shoemakers, leatherworkers, leatherworkers or those running internet cafes have given way to mass production, online platforms and self-sustaining technologies. The loss of these traditional services is linked to increasing globalization, the growing availability of cheap disposable products and changing social priorities.
Modern people rarely consider the possibility of repairing a broken item - it is easier and faster to buy a new one. However, something extremely important is lost in this way - the ability to care for the things that surround us and appreciate their emotional and utilitarian value. Hubert Bialek's project aims to remind us how important these traditional skills are and how they can coexist with modernity.
axonometry
© Hubert Białk
umbrella house - a space for the spirit of the past
The centerpiece of the "Forgotten" project is Parasolnik - a place, bringing back to life a long-forgotten service of repairing umbrellas and selling quality products. It is not only a service outlet, but also a space that aims to educate and integrate the community.
The umbrella maker has a symbolic function - it refers to a time when repairing items was a natural choice, not an exception. The profession of umbrella maker, which is both a craft and an art, is almost non-existent today. Bialek proposes its reactivation, but in a modern form, adapted to contemporary realities.
parasolnik
© Hubert Białk
interior concept
Parasolnik's interior design combines functionality with aesthetics inspired by the umbrella itself. The focal point of the space is a specially designed piece of furniture that serves several functions: a workstation for the craftsman, a place to display products and a meeting area for clients and customers.
A key feature of the design is its modularity and openness - the space is organized to encourage interaction, both between customers/clients and with the artisan. As a result, the interior not only restores an old service, but also builds social ties, increasingly loosened in the digital age.
The color scheme of the interior is kept in light, neutral colors, such as white and natural wood, which gives the space lightness and harmony. Colorful accents - inspired by the variety of umbrellas - introduce dynamism and catch the eye, emphasizing the artistic dimension of the space.
interior with umbrellas
© Hubert Białk
Integration of tradition and modernity
The "Forgotten" project is an excellent example of how traditional values can be combined with a modern approach to interior design.The designer consciously appeals to nostalgia for the times when everyday things were more meaningful, but does not stop at recreating the past. Instead, he proposes solutions that fit in with current trends, such as sustainability, minimalism and personalization.
The integration of tradition and modernity in this project takes place on several levels, by recalling disappearing professions in the context of contemporary values, such as concern for the environment, and by designing a space that not only serves a utilitarian function, but also inspires and educates.
exhibition
© Hubert Białk
The future of forgotten services
"Forgotten" is more than an interior design - it is a manifesto, encouraging us to reflect on our approach to objects and services. Restoring places like the Umbrella House can be one step toward a more sustainable lifestyle, in which repairing and caring for objects becomes the norm rather than the exception.
Hubert Bialek proves that through modern interior design it is possible not only to preserve the memory of old occupations, but also to give them new meaning, adapting them to the realities of the 21st century. Parasolnik is a place that can teach us anew to appreciate craftsmanship, attention to detail and the value of lasting relationships - both with people and the objects around us.
projection
© Hubert Białk
