A {tag:studenci} from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk designed the interior arrangement of the first floor of the Princes Lubomirski Museum in Wrocław. The concept was based on a competition design of the museum by the WXCA studio. The designer focused on three words: „in-between”, „culture” and „street”, proposing a clear space in which all functions—reception, information desk, reading room and cafe — intermingle.
The presented project was made in the 1st Interior Design Studio led by Prof. Beata Szymanska and Dr. Paweł Czarzasty at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk.
The project had to include a museum café
© Kalina Galikowska
first floor of the museum a design challenge
The design basis was the aforementioned 2018 competition building designed by the WXCA architectural firm. Meanwhile, the author of the design of the permanent exhibition is Studio 1:1. The student challenge was to design the first floor as a part of the building open and close to the city. The space was to respond to the needs of the museum's information function, to house a café, a checkroom, as well as a museum store. A stage in the design process also involved the creation of mock-ups to define the character of the place.
Arrangement of the first floor of the Princes Lubomirski Museum, projection based on WXCA design
© Kalina Galikowska
The space of the museum's main lobby is understood as a contemporary, covered urban square with an open, free structure in which the functions listed above permeate, interlock and sometimes clearly separate. The design problem was written using three words: between, culture and street. The interpretation of these words, associations, meanings, developing their understanding, assigning them adequate structures, forms and colors was also the subject of the study [...]. The designed place is to be used for meetings talking about the past, present and future of the citizens of Wroclaw," explains Kalina Galikowska.
Part of the task was also to create a mock-up
© Kalina Galikowska
between—permeation
The author was keen to create a first floor space that would be devoid of strong, dominant divisions and literalism, while creating a coherent whole. So she decided to make all functional zones interpenetrate with each other, reinforcing the sense of lightness and transparency of the space. "Corridors" of the bookstore are delineated by installations of metal mesh shaped to resemble airy fabric. The information screen at the reception desk and the menu in the café also allude to the softness and subtlety of the fabric. The designer used frosted glass in the cubicle housing the café's utility rooms. The glass, through its transparency, creates a play of light, while steel elements with a shiny, polished finish introduce reflections.
"Corridors" of the bookstore are delineated by installations of metal mesh
© Kalina Galikowska
culture and delicacy
I focused on the notion of personal culture and the translation of its qualities into design. The words to which I tried to assign appropriate structures, materials and forms were elegance, delicacy, tactfulness and subtlety. I wanted the space of the museum's main lobby to visually correspond to the character of the place—its dignity and solemnity. Subdued colors, economy and restraint in the choice of materials are supposed to create an elegant and refined atmosphere," says the author.
The forms used by the author are intended to influence the focus of the
© Kalina Galikowska
nostalgia and melancholy
A museum is a place that, according to Kalina Galikowska, requires maturity and awareness from its users. The delicate and non-literal forms she uses are meant to influence the sensitivity of visitors and put them in a feeling of nostalgia and melancholy.
I believe that these are emotions that result in a more conscious and insightful perception of the space and should accompany a visit to the exhibition. The elegance and minimalism of the forms used in the project are meant to make viewers reflect and focus their attention on the importance of the place and respect for history," Kalina Galikowska concludes.
Read also about the project by Julia Zubka, which also concerned the arrangement of the first floor of the Princes Lubomirski Museum.
