The design team from the Silesian University of Technology, consisting of: Anna Piątek, Adrianna Popielarczyk, Iga Soczawa and Krystian Wrona, won the national student competition for the conceptual design of the market area on Sandomierska Street in Mielec. The awarded concept proposes a harmonious connection between the new green market and the existing city market. This is to be helped by a new surface of the market square, traffic routes, parking lots and plenty of greenery.
The purpose of the nationwide competition entitled Revitalization of the Market Square at Sandomierska Street in Mielec, announced last year by the Municipality of Mielec, was to select the best concept for the development of the area of the so-called green market at Sandomierska Street in Mielec. The competition design was to make the market space accessible to residents, provide convenient sales areas in seven pavilions, offer food service and a city restroom. The concept for the development of the square was also to include recreational areas, elements of small architecture, greenery and lighting of the area. It was important to convert the road on the northern side of the site into a pedestrian and roadway route, and to analyze the number of parking spaces.
The project by students of the Silesian University of Technology won the competition for the design of the market area in Milec
© Anna Piątek, Adrianna Popielarczyk, Iga Soczawa, Krystian Wrona
The main prize for students of Silesian University of Technology
Thecompetition had a one-stage, closed nature and was aimed at students and graduates of universities, majoring in architecture and urban planning. Four teams from the Faculties of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology and Wroclaw University of Technology submitted their concepts. The works were judged by a committee consisting of: Jacek Wisniewski (mayor of Mielec), Pawel Pazdan (first deputy mayor), Andrzej Jędrychowski (head of the Investment Department), Waldemar Wiącek (head of the Urban Planning, Real Estate Management and Geodesy Department), Anna Snowiec (head of the Greenery Department), Piotr Rożnał (inspector of the Investment Department), Czesław Czyrny and Wacław Świerczyński (representatives of the Kliński Estate Council). The greatest recognition of the competition committee and the first prize went to the team from the Silesian University of Technology, consisting of: Anna Piątek, Adrianna Popielarczyk, Iga Soczawa and Krystian Wrona.
The work was appreciated for its affordable revitalization of the current space, reorganization of communication and connection of the newly designed square with the existing city square, and introduction of a large amount of greenery to the hitherto "dead" space, the competition committee's justification reads.
The authors proposed, among other things, to reorganize the existing directions of communication
© Anna Piątek, Adrianna Popielarczyk, Iga Soczawa, Krystian Wrona
safe market square
The students divided the concept for developing the area into several categories. The team decided to reorganize the existing directions of communication - changing the direction of travel on Szeroka Street and introducing clear and safe pedestrian routes. The authors designed pedestrian crossings, which are a continuation of the axes of the widened paths. It was also important to organize parking spaces located in the roadway lanes and to propose new solutions for exhibitors and traders. The authors placed parking spaces intended for them under the canopy, as a continuation of the sales area. The remaining diagonal parking spaces were covered with a permeable surface overgrown with grass. In addition, the architects proposed two stations for city bicycles, along with a service station and tools, located in the passageway of the covered market square.
The rear façade of the building, adjacent to the square, was allocated for an ecological mural
© Anna Piątek, Adrianna Popielarczyk, Iga Soczawa, Krystian Wrona
repetitive module and urban furniture
The students reorganized the entire area of the market square in such a way as to relate the character and finishes used to the nearby city market. They also expanded the scope of the development and introduced a recurring module and urban furniture in the form of a multifunctional staircase. The module allowed the establishment to be harmoniously complemented with various types of greenery, such as flower meadows and pampas grasses. It was also proposed to plant native tree species that will provide shade on sunny days. As a continuation of the frontage of 3 Maja Street, a municipal toilet building was introduced.
The commercial zone is a semi-open shopping arcade with an extensive green roof
© Anna Piątek, Adrianna Popielarczyk, Iga Soczawa, Krystian Wrona
semi-open shopping arcade
The team decided to reorganize the existing shopping area, designing it as a semi-open arcade covered with an extensive green roof.
This solution made it possible to design parking spaces that are also a storage area for vendors. This will enable them to serve goods directly from the trunks of their cars, the authors explain.
The exhibition stands were organized along a long counter in the form of an L, crossed by passageways. On the outer side, from the center of the plan, there is an additional counter, which can be transformed into a bar during events. In order to nullify drafts, isolate from ambient noises and ensure optimal temperature inside the pavilion, the architects introduced vine-covered lamella walls in some places, which act as rain gardens. They allow rainwater to drain away from the paved surface of the plaza.
The architects want the square to be as green and ecological as possible
© Anna Piątek, Adrianna Popielarczyk, Iga Soczawa, Krystian Wrona
green, ecological square
An important goal of the young architects was to design the new version of the square in such a way that it would become as green and ecological as possible. To achieve this, absorption basins were introduced along the parking lots and at the intersection with Sandomierska Street. Amidst the abundant greenery, houses for insects and small mammals such as hedgehogs were placed. The rear facade of the building, adjacent to the square, was allocated for an ecological mural depicting a map of Mielec's old town. As the students assure, the special technique and paints used are meant to purify the air. Meanwhile, at the very top of the building, birdhouses - mainly for swifts - have been placed.
The city has just begun looking for a contractor - the City Hall's Investment Department is preparing a tender procedure for the development of design documentation. Work is expected to start later this year.
