At the end of November 2023, the 16th edition of interdisciplinary student workshops, organized by the Faculty of Interior Design of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, took place. Guided by the theme of „SUBCENTRES”, the participants of the NEW SPACE 2023 workshop chose areas of Kraków, which they then redesigned using the idea of subcenters and the resilient city. The result was future-oriented, „visionary” solutions for the space of such districts as Czyżyny, Dębniki, Kazimierz, Kurdwanów and Ruczaj.
The 16th edition of the interdisciplinary workshop NEW SPACE 2023, organized by the Faculty of Interior Design of the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, took up the design theme under the title „SUBCENTRES”. To cooperate, traditionally invited students and staff of Kraków's universities: The Faculty of Interior Design at the Academy of Fine Arts, the Institute of Sociology and the Institute of Geography and Spatial Management at Jagiellonian University and the Department of Mechanics and Vibroacoustics at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków.
Podwawelskie estate
© Klaudia Drabczyk, Paulina Kawecka, Anastasiya Matsiuk, Julia Dudek, Anna Kropyvnytska, Kaja Stempin, Hubert Szotek, Karol Buchman
Kraków subcenters
The idea behind the interdisciplinary workshop is to encourage male and female students to think outside the box and experiment in urban space design. The challenge of the 16th edition of the workshop was to develop a selected area of Kraków based on the idea of subcenters.
The chosen theme of the workshop strongly refers to the developed in the functional-spatial model of the city areas of the center of the districts in the document of the Development Strategy of the City of Kraków, as well as submits to discussion innovative solutions that already inspire today and in the future can be used in the development plans of the city, says Prof. Dr. Beata Gibała-Kapecka.
In the workshop it is important to develop critical thinking and the ability to question stereotypes related to the formation of human living space. In particular, the issue of „places of commemoration of ecological and climatic loss” in the context of creating subcenters and a resilient city is emphasized.
Wolnica Square
© Oliwia Dybczyk, Katarzyna Grzesiak, Weronika Mojecka, Anna Panasiewicz, Marek Szymala, Tomasz Turzański, Witold Żemełko, Bartłomiej Jaroch
Our premise is to give space for experimentation and permission to fail, so that there remains a paucity of thinking, imagining and creating. The result is the development of visionary offerings of new space as socio-spatial imaginaries, conceived in the context of the long-term development of the city and the region, symptomatic of the concept of "imaginaries of resilience"—continues Prof. Dr. Beata Gibała-Kapecka.
The finale of the workshop and presentation of the projects took place on December 14, 2023 at the Kraków City Hall building in the Meeting Room of the Kraków City Council. The workshop was attended by 47 male and female students from three universities: ASP, Jagiellonian University and AGH. Below are the results of the workshop and the projects of all six groups.
AVIA Upgrade Estate
proj.: Elżbieta Hyła, Iga Muśko, Patrycja Mytnik, Maria Przybyła (ASP), Nina Jakubowska, Oleksandra Levenko (IS UJ), Patrycja Cichecka, Adam Ellwart, Aleksandra Sawczuk (WIMiR AGH)
[excerpt from author's description]
The area that our group considered to create a subcenter on is the runway on the AVIA estate. The selected section is located in the northern part of the XIV Czyżyny district. The extent of the intervention area covers the eastern part of the 440-meter-long and 50-meter-wide concrete slab. Construction of the AVIA estate began in 2013, at that time almost all the apartments included in the government program "Housing for the Young". This translated into a high proportion of families with children in the profile of residents, whose needs were especially taken into account in the project, but not forgetting other groups, such as the elderly and teenagers. In order to combine diverse needs and realize all socially expected functions, we designed two main zones: an activity zone and a walking zone. We divided the activity zone into four parts: free space, entertainment zone, relaxation zone, children's zone. The estate terrace is a walking zone, located from the 3rd to the 5th floor, between the blocks, above the runway.
See the full presentation of the project: board 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Aquacor Czyżyny
designed by: Pola Dąbrowska, Katarzyna Tokarz, Anastazja Wensierska (ASP), Kinga Jesionek, Daria Łysenko (IS UJ), Patrycja Kwiatkowska, Wojciech Olsza (IGiGP UJ), Norbert Kania (WIMiR AGH)
[excerpt from description]
An undeveloped area between the Nowe Czyżyny shopping center and the Tomex market square, located on the border of the Bieńczyce and Czyżyny districts near the tri-junction with the Nowa Huta district, was chosen as the location for the new Aquacor subcenter. It is one of the last undeveloped sites in the area, being a green area used by residents of the surrounding blocks of flats.The project involves the creation of a multifunctional and publicly accessible cultural and recreational space, taking into account the history of the three districts. The centerpiece of the subcenter is a pavilion with holograms depicting the history of the neighborhoods. The project also includes an acoustically improved space with a waterfall that filters rainwater, and a main body of water serves as the focal point of the subcenter. The reservoir, in winter, turns into an ice rink, and in summer serves as a place to play and cool off. It is illuminated in the evenings by flying drones in the shape of spheres, which act as seating elements during the day. Aquacor is a public, relaxing place that attracts different social groups and supports the holistic development of the community.
See the full project presentation: board 1, 2, 3, 4
Podwawelskie housing estate
proj.: Klaudia Drabczyk, Paulina Kawecka, Anastasiya Matsiuk (ASP), Julia Dudek, Anna Kropyvnytska (IGiGP UJ), Kaja Stempin, Hubert Szotek (IS UJ), Karol Buchman (WIMiR AGH)
The project in the Podwawelski housing estate involves the creation of a woonerf, i.e. an area prioritized for pedestrian traffic, and theexpansion of the market square. A new pavilion with a library, mediatheque and open-air cinema is to serve a community-forming function. In addition, a green patio located 12 meters above the market area is proposed, with a meandering footbridge, water recovery and acoustic solutions. The introduced earthen embankment is intended not only to act as a sound barrier, but also to protect the hedgehog habitat. The overall project aims to improve the quality of life for residents, increase green and biophilic spaces, and reduce noise.
See the full presentation of the project: board 1, board 2, board 3
Wolnica Square
proj.: Oliwia Dybczyk, Katarzyna Grzesiak, Weronika Mojecka, Anna Panasiewicz (ASP), Marek Szymala (IGiGP UJ), Tomasz Turzański, Witold Żemełko (IS UJ), Bartłomiej Jaroch (WIMiR AGH)
The team analyzed Wolnica Square in terms of fulfilling the function of a local center, paying attention to spatial, functional and social aspects. The lack of shade and a place for relaxation and meetings makes the square unfriendly to residents. The authors took advantage of the neighborhood of the Ethnographic Museum and were inspired by floral, folk patterns, introducing geometric forms into the square, casting light reflections and naturally separating zones with different purposes. A pavilion with a delicate form completes the developed area. Various cultural initiatives, fairs and workshops are planned. Restricting car access, closing the streets around the square in favor of a pedestrian zone, and supporting local businesses are other elements of the project.
See the full presentation of the project: board 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
New Wave—Kurdwanów
proj.: Paulina Bednarz, Gabriela Błażejczyk, Patrycja Molska, Oliwia Tasiemska (ASP), Michał Chłopek, Jan Firlit (IS UJ), Jadwiga Hyla (WIMiR AGH)
A fragment of land located near 7 Wincentego Witosa Street in Kurdwanów was selected as the area of intervention. This plot contains the building of a Carrefour store, along with an adjacent parking lot. Analysis of the area indicated a high volume of noise, car and streetcar traffic and a lack of multifunctional space. The goal is to transform the area into a cultural and artistic space that is open and welcoming to different age groups. Various elements are planned, such as a stair-theater, a sky serpentine, a community table, illuminations, acoustic solutions and the use of renewable energy. Most of the space is interactive and strongly linked to modern technology.
See the full project presentation: board 1, 2, 3, 4
FORE(ST)PACE
proj.: Julia Korzec, Martyna Kubala, Katarzyna Orłowska (ASP), Magdalena Bajer (IGiGP UJ), Patrycja Skotarczak, Edyta Soroka (IS UJ), Jan Bińkowski (WIMiR AGH)
The main goal of the FORE(ST)PACE project located in the New Ruczaj area, is to create a multifunctional and flexible subcenter—a park combined with services. The team proposes four single-story, glazed pavilions, the most important of which is dedicated to commemorating an ecosystem displaced by development activities. The site is intended to be used for education and perhaps even a laboratory working on species restoration. The pavilions will provide space for a marketplace, an inclusive space, dining and a children's zone. Tree canopies are planned between the buildings, and the glass used in the structures is safe for animals. The whole project is designed to foster harmony with nature, social integration and the formation of local communities.
See the full presentation of the project: board 1, 2, 3, 4
workshop conclusions
The design concepts developed by the students together with experts can serve as material for public consultations to develop final investor bids for interested parties. In these NEW SPACE experiments of ours, there is a fusion of artistic, research and technical practices [...]. By design, the visionary projects created during the workshops provide a basis for solutions to specific issues that, difficult or impossible to implement immediately, conceived as a possibility, remain for future use. The design innovations are a kind of cognitive superstructure with future relevance—for this reason, they should be protected in a special way, because without them we will not be able to understand what lies ahead [.. and respond to the constant changes in the socio-civilizational paradigm resultingfrom the generally prevailing state of uncertainty and unpredictability," Professor Beata Gibała-Kapecka summarizes the workshop.
The NEW SPACE 2023 workshop was carried out within the framework of the Operational Program Knowledge Education Development, Priority III "Higher education for the economy and the country", Measure 3.5 Comprehensive programs of higher education institutions.
