Smyczkowa 7 Student House in Warsaw - unusual architecture, unusual surfaces

14 of April '25

Student House Smyczkowa 7 in Warsaw -.

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In the fall of 2024, the University of Warsaw commissioned a new Student House at 7 Smyczkowa Street in Warsaw's Służewiec district. The project, completed by general contractor Mota Engil, is an exemplary example of combining modern architecture, concern for the environment and a conscious approach to pavement design. The project developed by the Projekt Praga studio is not only a contemporary form, but also a conscious choice of materials, among which, in addition to architectural concrete used in cubic elements, the use of innovative concrete pavements - Pervia path and Deco Collore - stands out.

Greenery and context: pavements in dialogue with nature

The plot on which the facility was built is located in one of the greenest parts of Służewiec, right next to the Służewiec Pond. It is a place with invaluable landscape potential, with many old trees of high natural value. From the beginning, it was assumed that the greenery must remain intact - not as an addition to the architecture, but as an integral part of it. In order to achieve this, the architects and designers had to reach for solutions that would allow natural irrigation of the land and limit interference with the local ecosystem.

Pervia water-permeable pavements - technology in the service of the environment

A key solution in this regard was Pervia water-permeable concrete pavement, designed specifically for public spaces exposed to heavy rainfall and the need to retain water in the ground. Thanks to its open pore structure, this concrete allows rainwater to flow freely into the ground, reducing the load on stormwater drainage systems and promoting the natural circulation of water.

In the case of Smyczkowa 7, Pervia was used in a unique light brown - an earthy shade that harmonizes with the color scheme of the facade and the natural surroundings. Aesthetics went hand in hand with technology here: the choice of aggregate, colorants and technical parameters is extremely important to ensure proper durability and frost resistance. The mixture is delivered to the construction site ready for use, so attention to consistency is very important, as well as efficient unloading and laying of the mixture. The execution work is carried out without the use of mechanical compaction tools, so as not to cause excessive liquefaction of the cement slurry, which could eventually reduce the permeability of the pavement. Hand tools are used for troweling, and the mixture is laid in pre-prepared formwork, without the use of curbs or edging.

Deco Collore - durability and aesthetics for usable spaces

Parking areas and access roads use Deco Collore brushed concrete paving - a solution known for its resistance to abrasion, to salt and to changing weather conditions. This concrete has the highest durability parameters - strength class C30/37 or C35/45 and frost resistance F150. Brushing itself is an interesting procedure that affects both aesthetics and technical parameters - it is performed already after the fresh concrete has been trowelled, after the surface has been sealed and the cement milks have been lightly drawn out. With the help of special wide brushes, the structure of the top layer is disturbed, creating a linear pattern.This texture increases the resistance of the concrete to flaking and chipping, compared to the usual blending sharply.

In the case of the surface concretes, but also the architectural concretes used in the facility, it was decided to color the mixture in the mass, which ensures color fastness throughout its life. By brushing the top layer, the effect of a subtle anti-slip texture was achieved, which not only improves the safety of users, but also emphasizes the noble character of the pavement. The color and texture of the Deco Collore pavement are fully consistent with the overall aesthetics of the facility - concrete minimalism, brick-brown color palette and natural surroundings.

Durability and sustainability - key criteria

The use of concrete pavements in public projects involves not only aesthetic requirements, but also high expectations for durability, maintenance and environmental impact. The two technologies used - both Pervia and Deco Collore - are in line with current sustainable construction guidelines.

Mass-colored concretes do not require chemical paint coatings that degrade over time. Efforts to clean and maintain them are minimal, resulting in lower operating costs and a smaller carbon footprint. In the case of Pervia, an additional benefit is the ability to manage rainwater locally and reduce the urban heat island effect.

Design and implementation aspects, or concrete technology

The success of the pavements used is also due to the right execution technology. In the case of Pervia, special attention was paid to the proper design of the paths, as well as the execution of the filter foundation and expansion joints. The thickness of the Pervia pavement should be no less than 12 cm, which means that expansion joints in the module 22-24 of the thickness of the slab should not be spaced less frequently than every 264-288 cm. Due to the peculiarities of the project - with a lot of curves, unpaved surface in circles under the contour of the crowns of trees, the distribution of expansion joints could not be easily written into iron rules. But in any case, it is worth remembering to run the expansion joints perpendicular to the tangent of the curve and to avoid acute angles of less than 60 degrees.

Deco Collore concrete was laid using a classic system of guides and vibrating strips, and the brushing process was carried out by hand, which made it possible to achieve a reproducible but not monotonous texture effect.

New standard for academic space

The Smyczkowa 7 Student House is not only a new landmark on the map of the University of Warsaw campus - it is above all a model example of how to design public spaces with respect for nature and with the future in mind. The concrete surfaces used prove that technology can go hand in hand with aesthetics, and durability with environmental responsibility. At a time when we are paying more and more attention to the quality of common spaces, investments like the one in Służewiec show that good concrete has a future - and not only in monumental, monolithic structures, but also underfoot.