Hubert Cebulski and Kamila Jagieniak, architecture students at the Magdalena Abakanowicz University of Arts in Poznań, took part in the international Tactical Urbanism Now competition, which aimed to design sustainable, safe, accessible and inclusive public spaces in cities. Their design for an unusual installation consisting of balloons and space for murals made it to the final list!
The organizer of the competition—the Terraviva Competitions platform—encouraged participants to think outside the box and experiment, aiming to improve the conditions of the cities we live in.
Solutions capable of transforming unused areas of the city, neglected plots of land, or existing public spaces with hidden potential were scored. The concept of the fifteen-minute city was also encouraged. Scale, modularity and design flexibility were also emphasized as factors in a successful project. Aesthetic aspects were also important—the use of appropriate colors, textures and shapes.
Bloom could be built in Jeżyce
© Hubert Cebulski, Kamila Jagieniak
Polish students in the finals of the competition
The competition awarded three grand prizes, honorable mentions and announced the list of finalists. We wrote about the full jury and the awards as part of an article about the HUMAN-CITY-RIVER RELATION project by Wrocław University of Technology students Dominika Bednarek and Magdalena Zając. Also on the list of finalists was the Bloom project by students of the Magdalena Abakanowicz University of Arts in Poznań—Hubert Cebulski and Kamila Jagieniak. The concept was created under the direction of Szymon Januszewski as part of the Design of Public Utility Objects class.
The installation is meant to encourage artistic expression
© Hubert Cebulski, Kamila Jagieniak
social activist in Jeżyce
We live in a time that ranks our lives to a large extent. Technological advances in every field have a huge impact on changing the functioning of society and the space around us. This is causing us to lose integration and unity, in favor of all individual activities. The city of Poznań has many famous neighborhoods, especially close to the center, which are famous for their Art Nouveau buildings. One of the iconic districts is Jeżyce, but despite its prestige, its streets in the evenings are dark and devoid of their former character. Our goal was to introduce an object into their area that is a social activator, which is an open communication structure. Externalizing emotions doesn't have to be exclusively verbal. Most often, we pay attention to new things.
Our object is created from the accumulation of thoughts, moments and various stories," say the authors.
The project consists of a frame and latex balloons
© Hubert Cebulski, Kamila Jagieniak
Bloom project and street art
The installation designed by the students consists of a frame, which in its form refers to the arcades of Jizera tenements. However, instead of traditional decorative elements, the passageways in the installation are a surface that can become a place for street art, thus creating an artistic atmosphere, inside the designed structure. The upper part of the project is formed by translucent nylon fabric, which brings light into the interior, while supporting the structure with inflatable balloons made of latex.
Bloom, design sketch
© Hubert Cebulski, Kamila Jagieniak
We wanted our concept to combine historical heritage with modern forms of artistic expression. The form shaped mainly by balloons makes the whole thing universal, which allows it to be used in different parts of the city. We believe it is an ideal solution for neighborhoods that express the need to externalize their individuality while activating residents, the authors add.
Lighting at night creates a play of colors
© Hubert Cebulski, Kamila Jagieniak
In addition to protection from the sun, the structures also provide an additional sound attraction—when it rains, as the drops fall on the balloons, they create unusual sounds. In addition, when night falls, the lighting makes the balloons create colorful effects that illuminate the murals and walkway, adding unusual color and atmosphere.
We are committed to freedom of expression, which is also the main direction of street art. The form of such artistic activities is often dynamic and expressive, which also affects the expression of the entire installation. Regardless of the size of the form, we hope to create a network of many stories that will become an integral part of the tradition of the streets of Poznan," the students conclude.
