Work submitted for the competition
"Best Interior Diploma 2021/2023".
"Open and multifunctional space - youth center and dormitory in the adapted PTTK Tourist House in Plock" is a diploma project, addressing several issues. To a large extent, it responds to the problem of the lack of places, public spaces where young people can simply stay, meet, engage in various activities.
On the first floor there is a multifunctional space for young people
© Magdalena Anzorge-Kurkowska
The most important thing here is the lack of imposed specific activities - I wanted to create a flexible space that can be modified and acted upon, but so that it doesn't impose anything. If we are in a movie theater, a school corridor, a cafe or a park - a given space is shaped for a specific purpose or does not always provide us with full comfort, for example, shelter from the weather.
Young people can arrange and use the space freely
© Magdalena Anzorge-Kurkowska
The youth center would be open for many different activities - socializing, working in groups or creating workshops, providing comfort and safety. I designed it on the first floor of the building to be easily accessible to everyone. The rooms contain elements that can be rearranged and modified in various ways to fit the space to the needs of the group.
Project of the dormitory and youth center at the PTTK Tourist House in Plock, elevations.
© Magdalena Anzorge-Kurkowska
The modernist building by Marek Leykam inspired me with its form, bold for the times in which it was built. It is intriguing and controversial. I decided to continue the dynamic lines and give the interior an unusual look. Although the forms themselves are varied and dynamic, the contrast to them is the color scheme and the materials chosen. The dominant materials are natural cork and ecological concrete, as well as forms made of material consisting of recycled plastic. The choice of materials was dictated by concern for the environment, but the goal was also to create a neutral, calm background for young people's activities that would not intensify overexcitement. I designed seating, tabletops, and mobile poufs that can be positioned in any way. There are no typical chairs or tables in these spaces, so young people can feel free to adapt the existing forms as they see fit. The idea was to make the interiors flexible, giving a sense of freedom and unleashing creativity.
Interior of one of the designed common spaces in the youth center
© Magdalena Anzorge-Kurkowska
Analyzing the spatial context of the selected building, I also decided to create a dormitory for young people from a nearby high school. The building itself, formerly the Tourist House, served as a hotel, so it was suitable for accommodating many people. The bursa was to occupy an entire floor of the building, while allowing tenants easy access to the youth center. The double rooms with bathrooms continue the aesthetic design of the first floor, but here the functions are different.
Project of the dormitory and youth center in the PTTK Tourist House in Plock, ground and first floor projection
© Magdalena Anzorge-Kurkowska
An important principle in designing the rooms was to maintain an appropriate balance between the amount of common space and the sense of privacy. The bed forms refer to the bevels used by Leykam in the building's supports. They are beveled at the top so as not to shade the interior, but at the same time to give the occupants a bit of privacy. It was important to fit many functions into a small space, hence storage and a small bookcase are located under the bed.
The forms of the bed refer to the bevels used by Leykam in the supports of the building
© Magdalena Anzorge-Kurkowska
The first floor of the building is almost entirely glass, which is a definite advantage of these spaces: we have a beautiful view from the windows, as well as a lot of light coming into the interiors. This is where the idea for the desk came from, which extends along the entire length of the window, stabilized by supports connecting it to the ceiling. In the depth of the room there is a large closet, a place with a mirror and a shoe cabinet, and a bathroom.
In the depth of the room there is a large closet, a place with a mirror and a shoe cabinet, and a bathroom
I tried to ensure that the whole building, despite serving multiple functions, had a coherent but also intriguing and innovative design. The building itself is a very interesting example of modernism. The first floor projects beyond the outline of the first floor, creating arcades and terraces. The entire building is largely glazed, opening the interiors to the surrounding landscape. It is worth noting that today Mark Leykam's building has been largely modified and does not resemble its original form. My design refers to the original building, based on archival projections and photographs.
Magdalena Anzorge-Kurkowska
Illustrations: © Author
