A design of a square was created as part of the revitalization of the historic district Chwaliszewo in Poznan, implemented by a the owner of a small office building and housing cooperative. The circle made of corten and natural wood is a central point of the designed square. This is an example of an open form of urban furniture – not exactly defined, leaving various possibilities for use by inhabitants. The intersection of the circle was necessary to maintain circulation spaces between the buildings and at the same time it plays the traditional function of a municipal bench. In turn, the platform enables lying, organizing picnics – treating this place like a backyard terrace, yet still in the public space.
This is an example of micro-intervention in public space – the development of a small lot which does not belong to owners of local buildings. Previously, the square was in a very bad condition and was used, above all, as an illegal parking space. The owner of a small office building and the housing community (inhabitants of the local residential building) decided to put this space in order. They invited me to this project in order to design the square, so that they could use it as common space for meetings, rest and picnicking, but also to make this space visually attractive when viewed from their windows and balconies.
In view of the grass-roots nature of the project, it was divided into several stages, so that the budget intended for the project could be spread over a period of several years (2014-2018). To begin with, the whole area was cleaned and a bench was built, while in the following years, plants were grown and lighting was installed. Though the project is not big, for reasons related to the budget, its implementation lasted several years.
To me this project is very special, as it represents the grass-roots initiative and was not in any way inspired by municipal authorities. The inhabitants and the owner of the office building decided to take care of this space, which, after all, did not belong and still does not belong them. But it really disturbed them that this space was neglected. They decided to invite a designer for this project, and a grass-roots initiative turned into a project which is my favourite project in my entire portfolio.
First innovative character of the project is a open form of this space. A design of a square is an example of an open form of urban furniture – leaving various possibilities for use by inhabitants. The platform enables lying, organizing picnics – treating this place like a backyard terrace, yet still in the public space. This space has open form and is very flexible to use by inhabitants. Second innovative character of the project is design and using public space by unhabitants.This is an example of micro-intervention in public space – the development of a small lot which does not belong to owners of local buildings. Previously, this space was in a very bad condition and was used, above all, as an illegal parking space.
A design of a square is an example of an open form of urban furniture – leaving various possibilities for use by inhabitants. The platform enables lying, organizing picnics – treating this place like a backyard terrace, yet still in the public space. This is an example of micro intervention in public space – the development of a small lot which does not belong to owners of local buildings. Previously, this space was in a very bad condition and was used, above all, as an illegal parking space.
A design of a square is an example of an open form of urban furniture – leaving various possibilities for use by inhabitants. The platform enables lying, organizing picnics – treating this place like a backyard terrace, yet still in the public space. This is an example of micro intervention in public space – the development of a small lot which does not belong to owners of local buildings. Previously, this space was in a very bad condition and was used, above all, as an illegal parking space.
A design of a square is an example of an open form of urban furniture – leaving various possibilities for use by inhabitants. The platform enables lying, organizing picnics – treating this place like a backyard terrace, yet still in the public space. This is an example of micro intervention in public space – the development of a small lot which does not belong to owners of local buildings. Previously, this space was in a very bad condition and was used, above all, as an illegal parking space.
A design of a square is an example of an open form of urban furniture – leaving various possibilities for use by inhabitants. The platform enables lying, organizing picnics – treating this place like a backyard terrace, yet still in the public space. This is an example of micro intervention in public space – the development of a small lot which does not belong to owners of local buildings. Previously, this space was in a very bad condition and was used, above all, as an illegal parking space.
A design of a square is an example of an open form of urban furniture – leaving various possibilities for use by inhabitants. The platform enables lying, organizing picnics – treating this place like a backyard terrace, yet still in the public space. This is an example of micro intervention in public space – the development of a small lot which does not belong to owners of local buildings. Previously, this space was in a very bad condition and was used, above all, as an illegal parking space.
Designer, lecturer. He heads the Public Space Design Studio at the Faculty of Design of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Scholarship holder of the French Government in Paris, Casa de Velazquez – Academie de France in Madrid and Residency Unlimited in New York. His projects are located in public spaces in cities such as Brussels, Budapest, Strasbourg, Shanghai and La Defense business district near Paris. Two-time winner of the “Polska Architektura XXL” jury award, in the “Polish Landscape” category (2018 and 2019).
Wooden islands situated in various locations in the La Defense district were created in order to provide unique working spaces outside of office buildings. Platforms are spaces for meeting, outdoor work, picnic, relax and many other using scenarios. The choice of material itself was not random. The wood is in itself a reference to a different kind of space, creating a contrast between the stone (the surface of the square) and glass (building facades).
The design of an outdoor cinema was created for CCStrombeek Contemporary Art Center in Belgium. The out-door-kino cinema is not about just watching movies, breaking the boundary between the “outdoor” and the “indoor”, but also has an integration role for the local community – it may in fact function as a place for meetings and rest for local inhabitants in the form of a covered bench.
The common courtyard in Poznan, Poland. The recreational space in a residential district Wilda in Poznan.