New life of the City Port in Wroclaw

Ola Skorupa

13 of December '24

Revitalization of inland port areas. Architectural concept for the Odra Museum in the former City Port complex in Wroclaw

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w skrócie
Monika Rygier's master's thesis deals with the revitalization of the City Port in Wroclaw using the concept of the Oder Museum. The theoretical research focuses on the analysis of good revitalization practices of inland ports in Poland and Europe. The project involves the adaptation of a historic grain granary and its transformation into a functional museum space. The new wings of the building have flexible educational, conference and support functions for the development of the museum. The revitalization aims to combine history with modernity, integrating the City Port with public space. For more interesting information, visit the home page of the AiB portal

w skrócie

Monika Rygier's master's thesis deals with the revitalization of the City Port in Wroclaw using the concept of the Oder Museum.
The theoretical research focuses on the analysis of good revitalization practices of inland ports in Poland and Europe.
The project involves the adaptation of a historic grain granary and its transformation into a functional museum space.
The new wings of the building have flexible educational, conference and support functions for the development of the museum.
The revitalization aims to combine history with modernity, integrating the City Port with public space.
For more interesting information, visit the home page of the AiB portal

Inland ports in Poland, despite their centuries-long history, do not have a clear legal definition, which means that their character and functions can undergo rapid change and degradation. In the context of this phenomenon, revitalization becomes a key process in preserving architectural heritage and bringing life back to forgotten spaces. The master's thesis of Monika Rygier from the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology, is an attempt to apply revitalization processes in practice. Her goal was to create an architectural concept for the Odra Museum in the former Municipal Port complex in Wroclaw, preserving not only the historical character of the place, but also its socio-cultural role.

diagram of the phasing of revitalization works

good revitalization practices

Within the theoretical framework of the work, the author conducted a detailed study of historical realizations of inland ports in Poland and Europe, focusing on good revitalization practices. Based on these, conservation recommendations were developed to preserve the integrity of the historic character of the Wroclaw City Port, while allowing for its functional and aesthetic transformation.

conceptual diagrams

One of the key conclusions was to include in the revitalization process such aspects as preservation of historic values, adaptation of historic buildings to modern functions, integration with public space and introduction of new elements that will enrich the character of the place.

cross-section A-A

the oder museum

The concept of the Oder Museum, as a focal point in the City Port area, was realized based on these assumptions.The author focused on the adaptation of the historic grain granary, which is not only the dominant feature of the entire site, but also serves as a symbol of transformation - from a place of industrial functions to a new cultural and educational role. The adaptation of the building was one of the key elements of the project, which aimed to create a space combining the historic character of the building with modern museum requirements.

facades

Granary adaptation

The Oder Museum project included multiple stages of revitalization, from the recommended conservation measures to the detailed adaptation of the granary itself. In the first stage, work was planned to preserve and strengthen the structure of the building, its historical identity, as well as expand it with new elements, such as exhibition and educational functions, or conference space. The western part of the building was adapted for functions supporting the revitalization process and potential future development of the museum.

In addition to a central exhibition area, the Oder Museum also offers educational and conference functions. The new wings of the building were designed with flexibility of space in mind, allowing for a variety of events. The eastern part of the building has been given space to accompany the museum, while the western part has been developed for temporary functions that can support the further development of the entire Port area.

visualization of the foyer interior

Integral to the project was the connection between the Oder Museum and the public space. The introduction of containers used in water transport as mobile pavilions allows for a dynamic change of functions depending on needs. The use of this solution refers to the tradition of the port, emphasizing its industrial character, but at the same time opening the space to contemporary cultural needs.

facade detail

The City Port as a center for culture and education

The revitalization of the City Port in Wroclaw using the idea of adapting the Grain Granary into the Oder Museum could be a starting point for further revitalization efforts in the area. Incorporating the port space into public life, connecting the past with the present and future, and creating a modern educational and cultural center are goals that could give the area a new impetus for further development. The Oder Museum project is an example of how, through revitalization and appropriate adaptation, historic spaces can be restored to value while creating new functions that serve residents/residents and tourists/tourists.