Although the competition was held almost three years ago, only now the concept will be realized. The award was received by Jakub Piórkowski, Adrian Mania, Filip Kozarski of PB Studio. An urbanizing project of Gdynia, or a neighborhood center in the Witomino district. A response to the needs of residents.
functionality above all
The winning concept flawlessly solves functional issues, combining and dividing interiors and outdoor areas. A flexible, capacious space was obtained, and at the same time not devoid of places conducive to integration in smaller groups. The architects skillfully used the terrain to create a friendly, inviting place. The concept is coherent, consistent and carefully thought-out, while the form of the object is adequate to its function, meeting the expectations of openness and transparency without resorting to forms characteristic of commercial or office buildings," argued Bianka Witkowka of the Social Innovation Laboratory in Gdynia, chairwoman of the Competition Jury, on the results of the competition.
The award was received by Jakub Piórkowski, Adrian Mania, Filip Kozarski of PB Studio. The architects designed two buildings connected at the height of the second floor by a common terrace. They accommodate a large meeting room with a kitchen available to residents, workshop rooms and a consultation and therapy center, and a library with a reading room.
We tried to design a place that would have a homey, friendly atmosphere and could serve people of all ages. The challenge was the terrain and because of the location and height differences. The building creates a certain noise barrier, but retains its open and inviting character. - said during the announcement of the competition results architect Adrian Mania.
One of the important guidelines of the concept was the inclusion of a plaza in the design, which will allow the planned events, including workshops and meetings to take place outdoors as well. Taking advantage of the lowering of the area, the architects proposed a partial recess for the development. The usable area of the complex will be about 820sqm.
Nearly three years have passed since then, but the idea has returned to the City's good graces and the project will soon begin. The center is planned at the intersection of Rolnicza and Chwarznieńska streets. The construction of the modern center will cost more than PLN 7.2 million, but the building is expected to be ready by the end of next year.
competition design | PB Studio
neighborhood city-making
The initiative came straight from the residents of the Witomino neighborhood. During a debate a few years ago on the revitalization of the district and a meeting with city authorities, residents expressed the need for a modern neighborhood club. It turned out that (to the surprise of developers eager for profits) in an open conversation, Gdynia residents expected the city to provide a new place for neighborhood meetings and activities for young people.
Older people have their senior citizens' club on Vidna Street, children have a lot of afternoon school activities. But adults and young people have nowhere to meet. There is a lack of a place where they could drink coffee and talk together, where there would be afternoon activities for young people or a lawyer's duty to give free advice," reads a statement from a resident during an interview, according to Gazeta Wyborcza.
project dedicated to community building
For the first time for the needs of a neighborhood center we are not adapting an old building, such as in Oksywie, but building a new one," points out Gdynia's Deputy Mayor Michal Guć, reads the official City Hall bulletin. And he immediately announces that it will not be the last such project.
Two two-story buildings will be constructed on a plot in the heart of Witomin, housing a neighborhood center and a branch of the Gdynia Library. They will form a coherent whole. They will be distinguished by a bright façade shielded from the intersection by a wooden openwork curtain and large windows. The total usable area of the two buildings is nearly 900 sqm. In addition to a rich library collection, workshop rooms, meeting spaces and exercise rooms will await residents there. Residents will have at their disposal a multipurpose neighborhood hall, a kitchen for cooking workshops and exercise rooms. In turn, there will be plenty of greenery in the area between the buildings. There will be seating areas along with additional small architecture and floor sprinklers - very similar to the ones that are the attraction of Kashubian Square. - informs Agata Grzegorczyk, spokeswoman for the City Hall of Gdynia.
competition design | PB Studio
focus on residents' needs
The building is expected to be ready by the end of next year. Neighborhood centers can combine many functions, and these can take years to evolve to fit the needs of residents. The breakthrough is that the idea to design the center, came from the potential users themselves. Maybe if every decision on an investment dedicated to residents, was subjected to joint discussions, giving architecture a function would make long-term sense and respond to real needs (not necessarily those of profit).
