Warsaw's Wawer is a dynamically developing district. At Kwiatów Polskich Street, a housing estate by the rmk.architektura studio has been built, nominated for the Architectural Award of the Greater Wawer Voivodeship 2024 in the category EXPORT WORK. We showed the visualization of the project on our portal in 2022(see: "With this project we want to show that you can do things differently, boldly and with flair"). At the time, the architects stressed that they were keen to create buildings that refer to the surroundings with a clear tectonics of the facade and a diverse spatial perception. How does the realization fit into the Wawer context?
housing estate on Kwiatow Polskich Street
© rmk.architektura
location
The project was developed in accordance with the planning guidelines of the District Office, which determined the intensity of the development and its layout with a centrally located internal road. The architecture of the houses stands out from typical developer estates, offering more original solutions. The investor in the project is Senn Development, which created the Polish Flowers Estate, realizing the demand for modern and comfortable homes in urban locations. The buildings correspond with their surroundings, where single-family houses of varied architecture and accompanying small outbuildings dominate. The estate is located in a green part of Warsaw, near numerous bicycle paths and recreational areas conducive to an active lifestyle. Proximity to schools, stores and other services further enhances the living comfort of residents and residents.
Land development project
© rmk.architektura
implementation challenges
Construction started right after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, which proved to be a major challenge. It was a difficult time for everyone, and the investor faced a difficult decision to start construction in uncertain times. While most investors put their investments on hold, in this case it was deemed worth taking the risk and starting construction. Due to the situation across the eastern border, the realization of the facilities faced a shortage of construction materials, mainly steel, and the number of available contractors drastically decreased. The mood was poor, but determination and a well-placed work schedule allowed the project to be completed ahead of schedule and handed over to buyers earlier than planned, the architects emphasize.
single-family house complex
© rmk.architecture
comfort for users and occupants
The main goal of the project was to create an architecture centered on male and female residents, providing space tailored to their needs. The buildings were set back, providing privacy for new male and female tenants, separating terraces and entrances. Parking spaces were placed between the buildings, hiding the cars, exposing the facades and increasing the area of the gardens. Thanks to this solution, architecture and its recipients become a primary value, while other aspects play a secondary role. The buildings offer numerous opportunities to customize the space to meet the needs of the users and occupants.
facades
© rmk.architektura
solid
Using specific quotes from the surrounding architecture, the buildings have acquired their own design language. It manifests itself in the form of differentiated and fragmented scale and divisions between "domestic" materials - plaster and "economic" - sheet metal. The houses were divided into a "base" - the first floor with a protruding part of the first floor, and a "cottage" - a retracted block of the first floor, which was further emphasized by the variation of materials. The individual houses were shifted in relation to each other, so as to add intimacy and separateness. - say the architects.
home and utility zone
© rmk.architecture
The entrance and terrace zones were highlighted with recesses, adding character to the space. The roofs are divided into two segments, whose geometry relates to the different parts of the building, and the ridges are aligned parallel to the front elevations. The recesses and setbacks of the structure allow for better ventilation, open up views of the surrounding greenery of the garden, and provide privacy, freedom and more daylight in the interiors. The architectural form of the buildings accentuates the vertical rhythm of the facade of the entire development, and the geometrized, pleated composition of the facades adds dynamism to the urban space, changing its perception as the observer moves. The project sought to create a space that combines aesthetics with functionality, without compromising on any of these aspects.
garden
© rmk.architecture
material
The buildings were designed using masonry technology, with reinforced concrete elements, a wooden roof truss and a ceiling over the first floor. Finishing materials include plaster and corrugated sheet metal, referring to the outbuildings present in the area. The color scheme of the project aimed to move away from the typical "anthracite" aesthetic of contemporary housing estates by using a light gray hue with accents of dark green. The two-part block with a gabled roof, characteristic of the surrounding development, was further distinguished on the side elevation by a change of material in the withdrawn part of the first floor. The third façade material is glass, used in the large windows running from the floor in the main bedrooms and in the full glazing of the first floor living area overlooking the garden. Kitchen windows were placed on the side elevations, enriching the interiors with a corner view. Flat sheet metal was used to finish the characteristic rounded chimneys, adding a unique expression to the project.
detail
© rmk.architecture
function
A technical zone with a garage and boiler room was plannedon the first floor, as well as a living area, including a living room, kitchen with dining room, pantry and toilet. The first floor has been allocated for the night area, which includes three bedrooms, a bathroom, a laundry room and a dressing room. The living room and kitchen with dining room have direct access to the terrace on the first floor, making it easier to enjoy the outdoor space.
The task was to design buildings of exactly 135 sqm. Such an area was optimal to comfortably accommodate a family of 2+3, the architects point out.
first floor plan
© rmk.architektura
All rooms are equipped with large windows to best connect the interiors with the surroundings and maximize the illumination of the rooms. The buildings' modern design and attention to detail, such as semi-private entrance and terrace niches or hidden roof drainage systems, attract those who value aesthetics and thoughtful functional solutions.
floor plan
© rmk.architecture
interior
A living space has been designed where nothing interferes with the view of the garden - no structural columns or protruding stringers from the ceilings. The interiors are distinguished by the open layout of the living areas, seamlessly connected to the gardens through large sliding HS windows. The functionality of the spaces was planned to allow for individual arrangements, which was confirmed by later changes made by tenants and occupants. Each room was created with maximum positioning in mind, and natural light was provided in the bathrooms.
single-family homes in green surroundings
© rmk.architecture
The Kwiatów Polskich estate provides comfort on a daily basis, becoming an attractive place for both families with children and those looking for a comfortable living space.
Aleksandra Skorupa
