TTA STUDIO is a double winner of this year's edition of SAW's "Interior of the Year" competition. Second place in the "Public Interior" category went to the project for a creative-coworking space in a former railroad hospital in Wroclaw, described below. Third place in the same category went to the concept of the Italian restaurant "Aula," which we write about here. Both buildings were originally built with a completely different purpose. Today the architects have shown them in a new version.
Under Pressure is an office and creative space, fully equipped and adapted to all the needs of its users. It is occupied by a wide variety of residents - from advertising agencies, to a tailor's studio, a ceramics studio and a restaurant. Under Pressure was created to bring people together while providing their own space. It is a temporary project, planned for three years, or until 2021. After that time, the investors promise that the place will not cease to be vibrant - its spaces will be occupied by apartments.
Basia Hyjek: Transforming the premises of the hospital, a rather specific space, must have been an interesting challenge. What was the main concept?
TTA STUDIO: The main intention was to "de-hospitalize" the hospital. Our task was to completely disassociate ourselves from the previous function. After all, no one renting office space wants to remember that patients used to lie on beds here. The spaces currently rented are mostly former patient or doctor's rooms. When cleaning and organizing the space, we tried to emphasize as much as possible the beauty of the historic interior, which is the value of this place.
Basia: Was it a very difficult undertaking? It was certainly extremely challenging. What proved to be the biggest challenge?
TTA: It was certainly a difficult undertaking because of the particular design mode. Work on this project was characterized primarily by action here and now, or even yesterday. The renovation work started before the idea was fully formed. We did not make typical technical drawings, because the design process took place on a living organism. Design decisions were made on site in direct consultation with the contractor depending on the problems that arose.
Basia: Such places, with a top-down assigned function, which operate for a specific purpose for many years, can hide various secrets and surprises. Did something like this happen here?
TTA: After clearing the corridors of all the extra divisions, vestibules, and glazing of questionable beauty and durability, we were shown a clean and bright building with beautiful vaults. It didn't quite look like this before, and it surprised even us.
