At the end of November this year, we learned the results of the 23rd edition of the KOŁO competition. This year's challenge was to design a public toilet in the area of the Tatra National Park - in the area of the Huciska Glade in the Chocholowska Valley. Among the 178 works submitted was the unusual, almost abstract DWA KO £O project by Jakub Lazarowicz. The concept of an object with the function of a toilet with a geometric and synthetic form attracted the attention of the jury, which awarded it a distinction of the third degree (ex aequo).
The project TWO WHEELS received a distinction of the third degree
© Jakub Lazarowicz
The theme of this year's 23rd edition of the KOŁO competition "Bathroom Design 2021" was the design of an object with a public toilet function located in the Tatra National Park, in the area of Hucisko Glade.
The 178 submitted projects were evaluated by a jury composed of Ewa Kuryłowicz, PhD, Robert Konieczny, Magdalena Federowicz-Boule, prof. Jan Sikora, Przemo Łukasik, Aleksandra Kozłowska, Przemysław Powalacz (president of Geberit), Filip Zięba (deputy director of the Tatra National Park), Ewa Holek-Krzysztof (Department of Communications and Publications of the Tatra National Park), Agnieszka Grzegorczyk (representative of the Municipality of Koscielisko), Jan Karpiel-Bułecka senior, Marcin Rząsa (sculptor). The Grand Prix was awarded to the project entitled Raised Meadow by Marcin Gierbienis(Gierbienis + Poklewski) and Ewa Pokrzywa.
Thanks to its curved shape, the object protects users from harsh underfloor conditions
© Jakub Lazarowicz
honorable mention of the third degree
Among all the works that directly refer to and reflect the traditional architecture of the region, the jury's attention was drawn to a project that breaks this pattern, by Jakub Lazarowicz. The DWA KOŁA proposal received a honorable mention of the third degree (ex aequo). As we read in the justification of the jury's choice:
The work of TWO WHEELS is distinguished by the fact that the proposed architectural form is not an interpretation of a hut, does not refer to regional architectural or ornamental forms, but is a proposal to inscribe a geometric, synthetic, almost abstract form into the landscape of the Hucisko Glade. TWO WHEELS breaks away from the pattern of common and superficial thinking, boldly directing us to reflect on other, less obvious relationships of function and form in the landscape.
The project drew the jury's attention with its unobvious form
© Jakub Lazarowicz
geometric form in the tatra landscape
Jakub Lazarowicz's main idea while working on the competition task was to maximize the functionality of the building, while maintaining an ascetic form.
The characteristic geometric silhouette refers to the hills in the immediate vicinity of the plot. The architecture of the building combines features of the surrounding pastoral buildings - barns and huts. This is manifested in the pragmatic nature of the building, modesty of detail and ornamentation, and a symmetrical front elevation with a large gate in the center, and two smaller ones on the sides, the author explains.
TWO WHEELS, projection
© Jakub Lazarowicz
The building is approached by a planked approach - a procedure designed to limit tourists straying off the designated trail and damaging nature. According to the architect, the introduction of a subtle drawing of vertical divisions by covering the roof slope and elevation with raw planks - dranice - refers to the history of construction of shepherd's huts and barns of the Podhale region. Entrance to the building is possible through a vestibule closed by an automatic sliding door with the possibility of closing it at night.
The building is accessed through an approach made of planks
© Jakub Lazarowicz
a little tradition, a lot of modernity
Another reference to the region can be seen in the limited color scheme used. The author introduced a contrast of dark gray elements of the building exposed to the weather with naturally brown - wooden soffit in the arcade and interior in light colors of stone and wood.
The project is also a color contrast: dark exterior and light interior
© Jakub Lazarowicz
The structure of the building's roof was designed from solid wood, while the walls are made from a modern system of I-beams. Insulation of the partitions is made up of wool and, in addition, boards made of natural wood fibers - these are modern materials with good thermal and acoustic insulation properties, enabling ecologically and energy-efficient design and construction.
ecological solutions
The architect envisaged the use of a heat pump and gray water recovery. In addition, he designed a system for the use and disposal of some rainwater. The water will be discharged into free-standing water tanks, through a plunging gutter hidden in the center of the roof slope.
The author decided to cover the slope of the roof and the facade with raw boards - dranice
© Jakub Lazarowicz
Jakub Lazarowicz also designed energy-efficient lighting with motion sensors and subtle illumination of the access to the building in a LED strip mounted in the lower part of the facade. TWO WHEELS, thanks to its curved body with deep arcades, eliminates the effect of light pollution and protects those using the building from wind, snow and rain.
