Gdynia-Babie Doły is a place hiding a turbulent history. On the horizon of the Bay of Gdansk, 300 meters from the shoreline, rise the ruins of the post-German Torpedo Factory - a testimony to the past and proof of the architectural power of reinforced concrete. As part of her thesis at the Faculty of Architecture at the Cracow University of Technology, {tag:studenci} undertook the task of restoring life to this forgotten building. Under the guidance of her thesis supervisor, Professor Elżebieta Waszczyszyn, she created a project to adapt the Torpedo Factory into an educational and research center for waves and wind - a place that not only saves history, but also looks to the future.
drawing
© Gabriela Ziaja
From a military past to a new function
The ruins of the Torpedo Factory, which once served as a military research and production center, are today only a skeleton of its former power. Although the facility's original use no longer has a raison d'être, its location and construction have opened up new possibilities. The project envisages the creation of a modern science and research center, whose main purpose is to exploit the natural resources of the Baltic Sea - sea waves and wind energy. This combination of history and modernity becomes a symbol of transformation: a place associated with wartime suffering is given a chance for a new, positive life.
axonometry
© Gabriela Ziaja
sea and wind as inspiration
The Bay of Puck and the Gulf of Gdansk are regions known for their strong winds, which became a natural theme for the project. The unobvious location of the Torpedo Factory and its unique history inspired the author to create a scientific space to explore the mysteries of the sea and atmosphere. This led to the idea of a research center dealing with waves, water currents and wind power.
functional diagram
© Gabriela Ziaja
space for research and science
The new functions of the facility were laid out in a thoughtful and organized manner. On the first floor, water-related research stations were created: laboratory pools for observing the formation of waves and water phenomena resulting from the influence of wind, pressure and tides. The upper floors were dedicated to wind power, with modern horizontal and vertical wind tunnels designed there. On the top floor, an exhibition space and a restaurant with a panoramic view of the bay were planned, allowing visitors to admire the boundlessness of the Baltic Sea.
visualization
© Gabriela Ziaja
new life in the old block
The lump of the Torpedo Factory has retained its historic shape, but has gained a dynamic new look. The most spectacular element of the adaptation has become the glass facade, which resembles agitated waves hitting the building's structure. This architectural treatment not only emphasizes the building's connection to the sea, but also serves as a metaphor for transformation and survival. The dialogue between the modern sheets of glass and the reinforced concrete structure makes Torpedo House regain its individual and unique character.
visualization
© Gabriela Ziaja
center for reflection and development
The Torpedo House is becoming not only a place of learning, but also a place of reflection on history and architecture. The preservation of the ruins, which are a testimony to times gone by, combined with a modern research space, gives an opportunity to create an iconic place on the map of Gdynia. The Waves and Wind Center is not only a sign of respect for history, but also a step into the future. The project shows that it is possible to save architectural objects by giving them a new function. The torpedo house, thanks to a bold vision, is being transformed from a symbol of war into a place of learning, inspiration and development. It proves that architecture can be a bridge between the past and the future, preserving what is valuable and creating something completely new.
interior visualization
© Gabriela Ziaja
