Work submitted for the competition
"Best Interior Diploma 2020/2022".
TheMurowaniec Hostel is located at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level on Hala Gąsienicowa. Murowaniec's architecture was initially considered innovative and controversial, but soon became an inspiration for others. The design concept was detailed by Jan Koszczyc, who wrote: "I would like to build with large boulders untreated on the outside, but as they were rinsed by water [...]. The gables were deliberately not made to resemble the huts distributed in the hall. The roof would be new, dark with boards [...], the idea is to get as close to the surroundings as possible and not glaring too much civilization."
elevations against the backdrop of the shelter's surroundings
© Maria Talaga
The shelter's building has been modernized many times since its inception and, above all, enlarged to accommodate even more mountaineers. However, the number of places is still insufficient and inadequate for the number of people coming here.
The author has expanded the external part of the hostel
© Maria Talaga
design assumptions - comfort
The goal of the project was to create a space friendly to people and nature. Providing tourists with the opportunity to use the shelter to a greater extent was made more effective by expanding the outdoor part, which became an environmentally friendly, multi-level and multifunctional space. There were places to sit and rest, to draw drinking water at the fountain, and a viewing terrace.
view of the shelter
© Maria Talaga
Increasing the functionality of the restaurant area made it possible to divide it into communication and dining areas. The architectural element unifying the building from the inside and outside, are wooden frames. In addition to the visual aspect - aesthetic - this openwork structure placed on the outside performs a protective function. It allows tourists to conveniently stay outside also on those colder and windier days, and provides a partial barrier against adverse weather conditions.
In addition to the visual aspect, the openwork structure performs a protective function
© Maria Talaga
unity with nature
An important aspect is the preservation of the original plan - an object that fits naturally into the surrounding nature. To preserve the unity between the interior, exterior and nature, only environmentally friendly materials, naturally occurring in this zone of the Tatra Mountains, were used in the project.
The Murowaniec Hostel reconstruction project includes three zones: the square in front of the building, its western part and the restaurant zone located on the first floor.
The square was transformed into a multi-level structure with a fountain,
a wooden zone with benches and wooden frames to protect from the wind
© Maria Talaga
The square in front of the building is the most heavily modernized part. From a once empty stone square with a few benches, it has been transformed into a multi-level structure with a fountain, a wooden zone with benches and wooden frames to protect it from the wind. In its highest part there is an observation deck facing the most attractive and exposed side of the Tatra Mountains visible from this location. The task of the modernization was primarily to increase the number of seats, create a space partially sheltered from inclement weather and make the recreational area more attractive.
cross-section of the restaurant area
© Maria Talaga
The western part (on the kitchen side) was formerly an undeveloped fenced area overgrown with grass. After the reconstruction, a completely new space was created here, which, thanks to this location, is an extension of the restaurant and brings parts of it outside.
The dining area is a combination of white and wood
© Maria Talaga
The restaurant area takes the place of the former eatery. The division of the space into two architecturally distinguished parts is evident. The part by the bar is communicative and can be described as stone-like due to the material used, as the dominant material here is local granite. The dining area is a combination of white and wood in the form of platforms and frames, which together with the lighting hidden in them bind the space together. The dining area includes semi-private areas, which have a café character, and public areas for larger groups.
The restaurant zone includes semi-private areas that have a cafe character,
and public for larger groups
© Maria Talaga
materials
A distinctive element that binds the entire interior and exterior space together are the wooden frames. These architectural elements delineate the zones described earlier, giving them a more private character. The shape of the frames and their workmanship were inspired by rafters. Wood is also present in the landings and furniture.
The main materials in the design are stone and wood
© Maria Talaga
The main material in the project is stone, as the name of the shelter already refers to. Not only the building itself, but also the space around it and the walls in the dark semi-private area of the facility were made of uncut rock blocks. On the other hand, the recreation area and the restaurant floor are lined with stone slabs.
Maria TALAGA
Illustrations: © Author
