The landscape of Katowice has been undergoing colossal changes for several years. The creation of a new image of the Silesian metropolis has been going on continuously for years. How is the new project by the FRANTA GROUP studio going to fit into this process?
Visualization of the VIDOK complex from a bird's eye view
© Franta Group
The VIDOK apartment complex will be located on Kozielska Street in Katowice. The complex consists of three, ten-story point buildings, which are to blend into the city's new skyline. As the architect points out, it is also to fulfill other functions.
Architect Maciej Franta, founder of FRANTA GROUP, will talk about the process of construction, the need to fit in with the surroundings, what is and isn't environmentally friendly, and the role of the VIDOK apartment buildings as a residential complex.
Wiktor Bochenek: VIDOK was located on Kozielska Street in Katowice, how will it affect its surroundings?
Maciej Franta: I hope positively. This is a location in the very center of Katowice, on the south side of the tracks. All significant investments are being made on the north side of the tracks near the cultural zone. This part is being heavily revitalized. The place where VIDOK is being built was slightly forgotten. We are designing at Kozielska Street, believing that it will change the standard of this place and cause all the investment weight to shift to this part of the city as well.
The process of creating the concept of VIDOK apartment buildings
© Franta Group
Wiktor Bochenek: This is to be another element that will redefine the character of Katowice?
Maciej Franta: This is the first development in the vicinity of the railroad tracks. It's important how you enter the city, not only by car, but also by train. It creates a kind of gateway to downtown Katowice. The buildings have ten floors. The name VIDOK is significant, because here it's not just about the view from these buildings, but also about these buildings.
Wiktor Bochenek: What inspired you to create such a block?
Maciej Franta: When designing, we always look for a certain ribbon of ideas that we walk on. Every project must be inspired by something or respond to some value. In this case, we recognized that we had a plot of land near a railroad track divider, creating a great space between the buildings. Modern Katowice is finally gaining the stature of a metropolitan city, as can be seen as, in the inner city, more than a dozen buildings over a hundred meters are being built. After Warsaw, it is the only city that is gaining this value. Katowice is changing beyond recognition - we wanted to highlight these processes.
VIDOK from a bird's eye view
© Franta Group
Wiktor Bochenek: This name is very important, isn't it?
Maciej Franta: Very significant. We oriented the buildings as point-blocks, surrounding them with balconies on all sides. The apartments have access to the outside view, on one side there are the tracks, which are, against all appearances, a very quiet space, certainly quieter than the street on which cars drive. On the other perspective on this beautiful new skyline. On another side you can see the very green space around the sadly neglected Jewish cemetery, which may live to see some cleanup work. The view of the surroundings and the relationship was important to us.
The second issue - is the subdivision of this complex. From the end of the street there was always a view of the high-rises of Katowice, which we didn't want to break up. We divided the complex into three point towers, then cut its sides at a 60-degree angle, referring to the extension of Kozielska Street - the view axis. In this way, we also provided a view from the perspective of a passerby.
VIDOK was made up of three point-blocks
© Franta Group
Wiktor Bochenek: How does the VIDOK complex correspond with other buildings designed by FRANTA Group, such as the award-winning Willa Reden or Żorro? What distinguishes it from your other projects?
Maciej Franta: The whole philosophy of our design is to use simple methods and solutions to build a fairly economical building, and for the financial reserves associated with savings to realize elements that build real value for the apartment building's occupant. Thus, we succeed in surrounding buildings with a large number of terraces and balconies. As a result, the resident can use a balcony, rather than a balcony that cannot be used except to go out for a cigarette or momentary activities. This is a value actually added to the apartment which results in the apartment gaining an asset previously assigned only to the house - a substitute for a garden.
We try to create appropriate formats of glazing, but adequate shade so that apartments do not overheat while providing good indirect light. We often focus on designing point buildings, in order to let as much light inside as possible - the number of corner apartments when breaking up a frontage building into point buildings increases several times.
These are the elements that connect all these developments. However, each differs in the way it was implemented, the idea or the adaptation. All of these projects are formed by a completely different idea inspired by a different activity.
The environment of the complex itself is equally important
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Wiktor Bochenek: What is the question of the technology used and energy savings?
Maciej Franta: We design in a slightly different way than mainstream designers. Stories about technology obscure the basic issues for us. We focus primarily on simple methods - to make construction relatively cheap. Do not forget to limit the amount of materials such as steel or other essential products. The cost of construction is the most important, but also thoughtful design, which in its solutions does not require or significantly reduces the need to equip the building with complex technologies. An example would be a typical developer 's building with exposed facades allowing massive amounts of daylight into the apartments, resulting in significant overheating of the apartments and the need to install air conditioning devouring huge amounts of energy. Often originally we will notice photovoltaic cells on such a building, which were designed in the spirit of ecology and basic design solutions were forgotten.
In the case of the VIDOK complex, such solutions include balconies, which allow additional shade - lowering the temperature. Villa Reden does not have air conditioning, because there is no need for it - it is a very economical building. This is our design direction - to focus on reducing unnecessary elements and reduce the need for additional solutions.
Wiktor Bochenek: How was the environment of the VIDOK estate solved?
Maciej Franta: We will not enclose the complex. This is the area of a former slaughterhouse, where meat production took place. Later, the purpose and function of this place changed several times. We decided that we would implement it in such a way as to reclaim the area for the residents, because during its operation it was always closed - it was a separate space from the city. We have created small squares between the punctuals, which will be open to residents. There will be an amphitheater, an open square, places for food and drink, and it is supposed to be an atmospheric place. We wanted it to be an open and accessible place for everyone.
Wiktor Bochenek: Thank you for the interview!
There will be space for squares and gastronomy in between the point houses
© Franta Group
