An interdisciplinary student workshop organized by the Faculty of Interior Design of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow took place in late November 2021. Inspired by the slogan "Spaces of Caring," the participants of the NEW SPACE 2021 workshop set themselves the goal of designing a just public space by asking the question what is it that defines life in the city? The socially engaged project concerned Krakow's Wesoła district.
The 14th edition of the interdisciplinary workshop NEW SPACE 2021, organized by the Faculty of Interior Design of the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, took up the design theme under the title SPACE OF CARE. The workshop was organized at the end of November 2021 in cooperation with students and staff from the Faculty of Architecture of the Krakow University of Technology, the Institute of Sociology of the Faculty of Philosophy, the Institute of Geography and Spatial Management of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow and the Department of Mechanics and Vibroacoustics of the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow.
the place of the city project
Team: Justyna Kopacz, Paulina Polaczek, Ludwika Pysz, Aleksandra Gierszewska,
Bartłomiej Ormaniec, Marcin Bauman, Piotr Brauntsch
cooperation between universities
One of the main objectives of the research and didactic project NEW SPACE and, at the same time, the program of interdisciplinary workshops was to expand the educational opportunities for students by developing their professional interests, including scientific ones, in cooperation with related majors at different universities, and at the same time to initiate the integration of the professional environment combined with the training of skills of cooperation in industry teams. The design concepts developed by the students can provide material for public consultations to develop investor bids for the city of Krakow and interested parties.
COM' ON SPACE project
Team: Anna Faltyn, Pat Czepiel, Maria Talaga, Kacper Gora,
Marta Romankiv, Julia Juros, Katarzyna Hetmańczyk
Wesoła district according to students
Participants of the student workshops, in addition to the materials developed by students of the Institute of Sociology, had available a report on the public consultation on the spatial development of the area "Wesoła - region of Kopernika Street", developed by Ewa Kryglon, Michał A. Chrzanowski, Przemek Dziewitek, Marcin Nowicki, Dr. Magdalena Wisniewska and Dr. Milosz Zielinski, which served as the starting point for the design work. The students' goal was to design an equitable public space and think about what defines life in the city.
project OD-NOWA WESOŁA WESOŁA RE-NEW
Team: Wiktoria Bajda, Kinga Bukowiec, Grzegorz Tryba,
Maria Brzeska, Olga Gizelska, Aleksander Sielecki
It was important for future designers, perhaps also for the residents of the city of Cracow , to realize and include in the design assumptions the need to give the architectural fabric of the city, a dialogical character indicating the need for its development in the direction of the city of the future. To make an attempt to search again the relationship between the existing historicizing architectural tissue and modern architecture for the present and future. The authors of all the projects finally opted for active public spaces that are modern in character and function. A very satisfying result of this workshop, is that future designers believe that the transformation and development of cities takes place by adapting to changes in the customs and lifestyles of the societies that inhabit them, hence the projects visibly promote cultural landscapes in harmony with social needs. Conceptual design studies illustrate how prosperity, sports, greening, climate adaptation, area development and local needs of residents, including entrepreneurs, can be combined into functional and iconic projects (in) public spaces. Cultic, because they take into account local specificity as a special value of this public space. Another important issue that is clear in all design concepts is the provision of equitable access to public spaces that integrate social groups with respect for their different needs and value systems. Active use of public spaces also means using them to organize local events, in this way effectively young people indicate their priorities in the design of the immediate human environment, transforming "commodified interests", i.e. globalized consumerism into the need to commune with cultural, spiritual values related to self-development, with health. In my opinion, the authors of the projects have created concepts for the Wesoła district, which can be places that integrate the local community, and, importantly, be a showcase of the city, induce reflection and educate the residents or temporary passers-by who visit it regularly . From the point of view of formal architectural, urban planning solutions, what is characteristic is that most of the projects express the need to interact with public spaces designed located on several levels, so that integration takes place at the architectural, social, natural and economic levels. Economically, because when developing the ideas for the projects, thought was given to improving the movement of residents around the city, which should be linked to the use of new technological advances, and holistically, so that the new neighborhood becomes an example of sustainable development. Obviously, it can be seen in the projects that the coronavirus epidemic has led to a reevaluation of the comfort of space and triggered the need to dose it on a larger scale. It can be said that for the authors of the projects this is one of the key meanings in the design of public spaces, as well as that family means people and animals to them. Aesthetics also became an important design guideline in discussions about the design assumptions they adopted, the features of which can sponsor the desired change in users' behavior and ethical values, introduces Prof. Dr. Beata Gibała-Kapecka.
The workshop was attended by 48 students from the Academy of Fine Arts, Cracow University of Technology, Jagiellonian University and AGH University of Science and Technology. The participants worked on a design issue in seven interdisciplinary teams.
Below are the results of the workshop, which lasted from November 22 to 25, 2021.
The topic of Wesoła was also touched upon during the 16th edition of the International Architecture Biennale in Krakow, during which, architects, urban planners, city councilors, design students, sociologists and activists, divided into three groups worked on identifying the spatial-functional-communicative potential of Wesola, so that the newly emerging district would respond to the needs of the city's residents and become an open, friendly space in the very center. You can read about the results of these workshops and the Biennial as a whole in the December issue of A&B [see A&B 12/2021].
WESOŁA SITE
proj.: Justyna Kopacz, Paulina Polaczek, Ludwika Pysz (WAPK) Aleksandra Gierszewska, Bartłomiej Ormaniec (WAW ASP in Cracow), Marcin Bauman (ISWFUJ), Piotr Brauntsch (IGiGP UJ)
[excerpt from author's description]
The concept presented here is to bring people together so that they feel an obligation to care for other users. The space cares for the user, but it is the user who cares by being in it [...]. The concept refers to the archetype of home, i.e. a place where no group feels excluded, there is a safe atmosphere and people integrate.
See the full presentation of the project: board 1, board 2, board 3, board 4
SUNE ERGIA
proj.: Kamila Łuczak, Anna Leśniak (WAPK), Paulina Pasztalaniec, Aleksandra Kotyła (WAW ASP Krakow), Weronika Wierzgacz (IGiGP UJ), Weronika Wolnik (WIMiR AGH), Alicja Sędzikowska (ISWF UJ).
[excerpt from author's description]
The goal of our project is to create a sensory garden that will be an open and easily accessible place of tranquility. It will take into account both the needs identified by the residents and our vision of an inspiring future space related to sensory experience.
See full project presentation: board 1, board 2, board 3, board 4
ABOUT-NEW CHEERFUL RE-NEW
proj.: Wiktoria Bajda, Kinga Bukowiec (WAPK), Grzegorz Tryba (WAW ASP in Krakow), Maria Brzeska (ISWFUJ), Olga Gizelska (WIMiR AGH), Aleksander Sielecki (IGiGP UJ)
[excerpt from author's description]
The leitmotif of our concept is openness and accessibility. Following these values, we decided to remove the utilitarian function of the first floor in most of the building, leaving only fragments of the structure as supports for the upper floors. This gave us an entrance space that invites the passerby to check out what's hidden on the other side, while maintaining a sense of distance from the busy and bustling city [...]. Speaking of care, one cannot forget about the human-nature relationship, especially in the face of the climate crisis. In order to positively influence the city's ecosystem and provide as much greenery as possible in the city, we decided to "give back" the land occupied by buildings by creating gardens on their roofs that are accessible to visitors to Wesoola. In order to facilitate communication between the gardens and the buildings, we designed a pathway at height, so that it is easy to move around, but also to admire the area of the "Od-new Wesoola" from above.
See full presentation of the project: board 1, board 2, board 3,
board 4, board 5, board 6, board 7
COM'ON SPACE
proj.: Anna Faltyn, Pat Czepiel (WAPK), Maria Talaga, Kacper Góra (WAW ASP in Krakow), Marta Romankiv (ISWF UJ), Julia Juros (WIMiR AGH), Katarzyna Hetmańczyk (IGiGP UJ)
[excerpt from author's description]
The intervention consists in the creation of open creative spaces - "white canvas" - created and customized by the users and users themselves, which, filled with all-embracing greenery and colorful seats-modules, will promote relaxation and conversation with others, encourage creation. The possibilities of arranging, folding and arranging the designed seats-modules will encourage the creation of spaces for rest, conversation, social bonding, learning and creative work, exchange of experiences. Spaces with modules will be open spaces of creativity, equipped with appropriate soundproofing acoustic means.
See full presentation of the project: board 1, board 2, board 3,
board 4, board 5, board 6
ZEN TREE
proj.: Agnieszka Gajewska, Mateusz Dziuba (WAPK), Dagmara Jędrychowska, Przemysław Poręba (WAW ASP in Krakow), Eden Dejena (ISWF UJ), Emilia Stefanowska (WIMiR AGH), Magdalena Masłowska (IGiGP UJ)
[excerpt from author's description]
In our project, caring is understood as providing human needs for tranquility, peace of mind, respite, self-realization, and especially safety. Zen Tree provides respite from situations and stimuli that strain human health. Our vision for Wesola is an expression of concern for the citizens and residents of Krakow and the nature surrounding them [...]. In creating this space, we wanted to meet the needs tailored to each gender and counteract the exclusion of different social groups. In the area of activities there will be a permanent information campaign for different treatment, destigmatizing people's problems and mental illnesses, as it is important to prevent the stigmatization of people with problems, eliminate judgment from others and build social ties.
See the full presentation of the project: board 1, board 2, board 3, board 4
GREEN EMPIRIA
proj.: Julia Bąk (WAPK), Sylwia Wojdan, Magdalena Świdnicka (WAW ASP in Krakow), Kinga Sapieja (WIMiR AGH),Patrycja Jarzębak, Weronika Jaszczyk (IGiGP UJ)
[excerpt from author's description]
OBJECTIVE - in the form of arrows, the first: inclusivity, the second: architecture that promotes mental reconstruction. An inclusive (inclusive) and safe space is one in which non-members of a community feel invited into it, do not feel constrained in it and can move freely [cf. Zukin 1995]. Our project promotes psychological well-being. Implementing the idea of caring as sustainable living "in an environment sensitive to us, which supports us and resonates with us" [Pallasmaa 2021: 21].
See the full project presentation: board 1, board 2, board 3, board 4, board 5
PLAN B
proj.: Marzenia Cieniawska, Aleksandra Rosek (WAPK), Urszula Kraszewska, Joanna Jaros (WAW ASP Krakow), Gabriela Mermon (ISWF UJ), Jakub Naspiński (WIMiR AGH), Nikodem Chodakowski (IGiGP UJ)
[excerpt from author's description]
The idea of our project is to return to the roots, to reconnect man with nature by referring to the assumptions of the philosophy based on the elements and by rediscovering the care offered by nature, both for the spiritual state and for human health. For all too often, city dwellers lose the space in which they can rest and breathe freely. A key design solution is the meditation areas, including seven elemental zones - some of which are on water, some underground and others on the surface. Next to it, an area is set aside for animals - primarily bees and other pollinating insects, but also alpacas, animals famous for their soothing effect on humans. The whole is connected by a weave of footbridges floating over the area, which allow both to pass through the zones and to bypass them - depending on the desire and demand. In creating the project, great attention was paid to the problem of urban heat islands and the need to reduce their emissions, as well as to measures of an adaptive nature to adapt to climate change.
See the full presentation of the project: board 1, board 2, board 3, board 4,
board 5, board 6, board 7, board 8
conclusions of the workshop
Summarizing the design studies of the participants of this edition of the interdisciplinary workshop, I can express the conviction that, on the one hand, the public spaces of the Wesoła district proposed by them have the hallmarks of "public art that engages, inspires and unites," constituting a free space for citizens - as a resident of the city of Krakow, I would like to see such a direction of development for it. On the other, equally important, the developed design proposals are proof that the fundamental aspect of interdisciplinary work with students aiming at the transition of the process in design from the unconscious habits, including the prejudices of novice designers, to their conscious creative practice, underpinned by principles, law, development, ideas, hunches, or intuition and inspiration has been fulfilled," concludes Prof. Dr. Beata Gibała-Kapecka.
The following are responsible for the implementation of the NOWA PRZESTRZEŃ 2021 workshops: prof. dr. hab. Beata Gibała-Kapecka, Kaja Czajczyk WAW ASP in Krakow, dr. hab. inż. arch. Tomasz Kapecki prof. WA PK, dr hab. Marta Smagacz- Poziemska prof. UJ, dr hab. Marcjanna Nóżka prof. UJ, IS UJ, Aleksandra Chojak, dr Adam Pilch, dr hab. inż. Agnieszka Ozga, prof. AGH, dr hab. Tadeusz Kamisiński prof. AGH CAT KMiW AGH in Krakow, dr Jarosław Działek, Marek Grochowicz IGiGP.
The project was co-financed with funds from: "Integrated Development Program of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow", Research Fund of the Faculty of Interior Design of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, GCL I SRL, IDUB, NEW ERA ART Jan Potocki Foundation, Glocal Challenges Lab Future Soo, Contact.
