In September we learned the results of a competition co-organized by the Cracow branch of SARP for the design of a building to be constructed to celebrate the centennial of the Cracow University of Economics [the first prize went to a design by BE DDJM Architekci studio; results]. The competition jury, chaired by Zbigniew Maćkow, decided to award an honorable mention to a proposal prepared jointly by two studios - Bartosz Dendura's studio4SPACE from Cracow and Barcelona-based Atelier Entropic.
photo of the model
© Atelier ENTROPIC, Bartosz Dendura Pracownia Architektoniczna studio4SPACE
This is not the first competition proposal resulting from the cooperation of these offices - last year we showed on A&B the concept of a municipal library and kindergarten in Józefów, which was awarded second place [you can see the project here].
Among other things, the jury appreciated the attractive solution for the northeast corner of the building
© Atelier ENTROPIC, Bartosz Dendura Pracownia Architektoniczna studio4SPACE
What convinced the Competition Jury this time? The award, as we read in the justification of the decision, was granted
for consistent and attractive solutions shaping both the space of the northeast corner of the university's plot and the building itself. The project distinguishes the "Jubilee Building" as a functionally and architecturally distinctive new center of the entire campus. The Competition Jury found valuable the unconventional treatment of the publicly accessible space connecting the various elements of the didactic zone of the building. Interpenetrating, both horizontally and vertically, the lobbies create a fascinating road, which is not only an access to specific halls, but is a kind of forum of the University - a place for meetings, individual work and recreation for students.
photo of the mock-up
© Atelier ENTROPIC, Bartosz Dendura Pracownia Architektoniczna studio4SPACE
Let's take a closer look at the concept, then.
The jubilee edifice - a building for teaching and conference purposes - is to be located on the UEK campus at 27 Rakowiecka Street in Cracow. Inspired by the idea of the university building as a place for exchanging ideas, experiences and meetings with masters, the architects, as they emphasize, wanted to create open, flexible and friendly spaces conducive to creativity, communication, cooperation, discussion, critical thinking and teamwork.
southwest facade detail
© Atelier ENTROPIC, Bartosz Dendura Pracownia Architektoniczna studio4SPACE
To stimulate curiosity, facilitate collaboration and create a "creative buzz" around which students will want to hang out, we are designing a building that strives for transparency, visibility and interconnectedness, the designers explain. - What does this mean? Visibility into and out of laboratories, collaborative spaces and lecture hall environments makes these highly specialized programs a place that encourages students to explore, they add.
The architects' goal was to strive for transparency, visibility and interconnectedness in the design
© Atelier ENTROPIC, Bartosz Dendura Architecture Studio studio4SPACE
What distinguishes the block proposed by the architects is its cascading layout, visually connecting the lower part of the urban fabric with the higher buildings of the campus. The longer elevations (southeast and northwest) resemble a giant staircase, each step of which is a garden.
The massing is distinguished by a cascading layout that visually connects the lower part of the urban fabric with the higher buildings of the campus
© Atelier ENTROPIC, Bartosz Dendura Pracownia Architektoniczna studio4SPACE
A similar motif also appears on the southwest side - about halfway up the vertical rhythm façade, a stepped slit has been introduced through which one can see the lobby connecting all floors.
southwest elevation
© Atelier ENTROPIC, Bartosz Dendura Pracownia Architektoniczna studio4SPACE
The functions inside are also planned gradually - from the largest rooms on the lower floors, through smaller lecture halls on the next floors and finally the most intimate administration office rooms on top.
northeast cross section
© Atelier ENTROPIC, Bartosz Dendura Architecture Studio studio4SPACE
Architecture should be transhumanist, at the interface of many disciplines, forming a close relationship with the environment, nature, climate, etc. - explain the architects. - The building we design becomes the home of its users, realizing their needs, and at the same time stimulating action and creativity, they conclude.
main auditorium
© Atelier ENTROPIC, Bartosz Dendura Pracownia Architektoniczna studio4SPACE
