A Jakub Wichtowski from the University of Arts in Poznań conducted a study on the phenomenon of social housing, highlighting its impact on shaping societies in the context of social and economic crises. The topic, as the author points out, goes beyond the mere need for a roof over one's head to deeper social relationships. The study indicates that through properly designed spaces we can strive to create an open and cooperative society based on the idea of neighborhoods.
land use
© Jakub Wichtowski
housing issues in Poland
The problem of housing is one of the most important challenges of modern societies, especially for the young generation entering the labor market and trying to become independent. In recent years, the housing situation in Poland has deteriorated due to a series of crises: from the war in Ukraine and rising energy prices to the drastic increase in real estate prices. As a result, owning one's own apartment is becoming just an unrealistic dream for many. Moreover, according to EU data, nearly 37% of Poles live in overcrowded apartments, demonstrating the need for new, more accessible housing models.
facades
© Jakub Wichtowski
The housing problem is a much broader phenomenon than just the need to live. Undoubtedly, everyone who is a part of society has the right to housing and his or her own place, no matter if it is a rental or ownership apartment. The fundamental question remains, how does the environment in which we reside somehow shape us as a society? After the crises of yesteryear, the crisis of community and loneliness, are we able to get back together and live happily together? To build our society and our homes - not just mine or yours? - asks Jakub Wichtowski
visualization of the estate
© Jakub Wichtowski
social housing as an alternative
One solution could be the development of social housing, which is based on a community model. There is no direct equivalent of this model in Poland, but it can be compared to the German idea of baugemeinschaft or wohngemeinschaft, where groups of residents jointly build and manage buildings. With such communities, the cost of building construction and maintenance is about 30% lower, making it a more financially accessible solution.
cross sections
© Jakub Wichtowski
problems of stereotypes and social exclusion
Social housing is not infrequently associated negatively, leading to its isolation on the urban periphery. Wichtowski's concept, however, involves inclusive neighborhoods that allow residents to integrate with the rest of the city. Examples of such solutions in Poland are the Fort Śliwicki housing estate in Warsaw or the Nowe Żerniki co-op in Wroclaw (we wrote about the idea for this estate on our portal: Student idea for development in the Nowe Żerniki housing estate in Wroclaw). These projects focus on cooperation between male and female residents and the availability of common spaces.
visualization of the estate
© Jakub Wichtowski
inclusive housing estate in Poznań
Jakub Wichtowski proposes an example of an inclusive housing estate in Poznań, located in the center, close to Wartostrada. The project combines a balanced urban approach, preserving the city's composition and ventilation axes, which promotes sustainable development. The lack of fences and communal spaces are intended to encourage residents to integrate and share resources, such as gardens, utility roofs and community pavilions.
first floor plan
© Jakub Wichtowski
community spaces for residents
The project introduces architectural solutions that reduce construction costs and provide spatial flexibility. Examples include open galleries and balconies, which are independent, modular structures that can be customized as needed. The apartments are planned around a common kitchen and dining area, which promotes integration and facilitates adaptation to the changing needs of residents.
The design provides for a variety of common spaces, from laundry rooms and community rooms to rooftop terraces. The community rooms can serve as additional living spaces, ideal for occasional parties or overnight guests. This provides residents and residents with functional solutions, enhancing the quality of life in the community.
interior visualization
© Jakub Wichtowski
The buildings were designed with prefabricated and environmentally friendly materials, such as wood-fiber insulation, allowing moisture to circulate. The fiber-cement board façade and green systems on the facades support a sustainable microclimate for the apartments, as well as allowing for recycling at a later date.
architecture as a space for community building
As the author emphasizes, the most important goal of the project is not the architectural form itself or technical solutions, but community building. The designed estate is to be a space, allowing a return to community life, where people can form relationships based on openness and cooperation, instead of living in isolated enclaves.
This is what true social architecture and accessible housing is, shaping an open and cooperative society based on one of the basic units of the city, the neighborhood. - says Jakub Wichtowski
interior visualization
© Jakub Wichtowski
His project is the result of months of research on pro-social architecture in Poland and abroad. The engineering diploma, prepared under the supervision of Professor Andrzej Kurzawski at the University of Arts in Poznań, is the result of numerous analyses conducted on examples of buildings in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, as well as cooperation with Oliver von Spreckelsen, during classes at the University of Dessau.
