The generator of social activity is a project, in which architecture and its surroundings are involved in the development of the local society. Through tightening social bonds and networks, they serve increasing its activeness and cultural education. The project is a public building - a mixture of cultural and commercial functions.
The Ursynów district, with the vast majority of Warsaw’s housing estates, is a perfect venue for locating the generator. This place guarantees the presence of an abundant and varied community. The northern part of the district, between the KEN Avenue, Dzwonnicza Street and Pasaż Ursynowski, is inhabited by many socially active and conscious citizens.
All the services in this area are located around the representative square, in front of the church designed by professor Marek Budzyński. The square in not only an attractive destination for various meetings and walks, but it is also a place for the local community to gather and celebrate numerous events which often take place there.
Nearby, the majority of provided services is organized in the housing estates. The premises on the ground floor, which are used for the commercial purposes, are usually too small and completely unfit for their imposed functions. Achieving proper balance between the number of users and the square footage of provided space was thus one of the paramount goals for the project.
All the services in this area are located around the representative square, in front of the church designed by professor Marek Budzyński. The square in not only an attractive destination for various meetings and walks, but it is also a place for the local community to gather and celebrate numerous events which often take place there.
Nearby, the majority of provided services is organized in the housing estates. The premises on the ground floor, which are used for the commercial purposes, are usually too small and completely unfit for their imposed functions. Achieving proper balance between the number of users and the square footage of provided space was thus one of the paramount goals for the project.
1 - A new city hall was to be erected on the chosen site, but the project was never finished. This site calls for a building expressing the local identity.
2 - The church was built in 1989. Numerous religious organisations are housed within it’s premises. They focus on helping the local community.
3 - The representative square in front of the church is a popular meeting spot. It’s also used for official events, festivals and celebrations.
4 - The area is very well communicated with the rest of the city thanks to the nearby metro station.
5 - The premises on the ground floor are used for the commercial purposes. They are too small and unfit for their function.
The building’s functions are mixed. It is divided into spatial zones, which gather the rooms of the same kind and usage. Here, culture and commerce are complementary to each other, attracting different kinds of customers.
The architectural form of the building results from numerous decisions, connected with many existing factors. Those are the analysis of natural lighting of the area, the tracks and paths used by the local community, and the need for creating attractive meeting spaces. One of the most important challenges was not to make the designed object an aesthetical and architectural competition for the iconic building of the church.
The ground floor’s plan follows the shape of a path, well-trodden by the local citizens in the grass, which grows on the site. As it is a natural and commonly used direction, it was considered important for the design. On the level 0 there are three main blocks – the “pillars” for the above floors. Between lies the pass through the building, accompanied by the entrance zones. Above, there are two more levels.
The atrium was formed to ensure that the proper lighting for all the spaces in the object is provided. It is three floors high.
Under the hanging hall, there is a lively meeting place. To make it more popular and attended, part of the façade was retracted. This operation enabled to create wide sitting stairs, following the basic ones which serve the purpose of communication.
When the architectural expression in concerned, the sitting stairs are the crux of the matter. They are a local forum, a place of discussion and exchange of views.
The bike hire is located on the ground floor. The stairs connect it with the concept store above, on the first floor. Both of these spaces serve to promote the healthy lifestyle, ecological consciousness and physical activity. Located on the first floor, the fitness and recreation zone is also connected to raising awareness of the importance of sport nowadays.
The spacious and well-equipped fitness club is accompanied by a games room for children. They are connected by a roomy foyer. While the parents are exercising, their kinds can play safely in the recreation area.
Culture and education are of the utmost importance in the project, therefore there is a library and a reading room provided for the visitors. The library’s books are available for two kinds of users. First one consists of those who want to concentrate on their work in silence and read peacefully without being interrupted. The reading room on the northern side of the building is designed especially for them. Those who, on the other hand, wish to enjoy a book while drinking a cup of coffee, can use the café. It has partial access to the library’s resources.
The exhibition spaces, connected by a spacious foyer, are located on the first floor. They provide opportunities for organizing private views, meetings and lectures. The hall, in which various performances and shows can be held, is also very significant. It is to serve not just the artists from the outside but also those from local community, as they are also permitted to perform on stage. The hall’s block is highlighted by its hanging above the entrance zone.
The generator is to promote the existing works of art. Its main purpose is however to provoke the opportunities for the cultural resources to be created. Thus the co-working spaces and conference halls, are located on the second floor. They encourage the local community to attend creative meetings and popularize the team work.
Below: ground floor and first floor plans
The choice of wall covering materials was made in a way, which ensures that the designed object is not a visual competition the church. The ornamental details of the temple were inspiration for the forming of the elevations.
The elevations consist of numerous slabs, light-colored and made of concrete reinforced with glass fibers. They are square-shaped and supported by a steel construction. There are three kinds of slabs – plain, carved and perforated.
