At the World Architecture Festival’s closing gala in November, the Polish architect Robert Konieczny (along with his architectural firm KWK Promes) was awarded with the main prize.
It was, however, not the only prize given to Polish buildings. Take a look at the 8 Poland’s best buildings of 2016!
National Museum (Szczecin)
Designer: Robert Konieczny i KWK Promes (Poland)
The new building of the National Museum in Szczecin which was awarded a prize at the prestigious World Architecture Festival, is located near to the futuristic Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic Hall (which received the Mies van der Rohe Award in 2015). Interestingly, the latest winner is part building, part topography – it is mostly hidden underground and the roof was adapted for a square. Apparently such a unique combination impressed the WAF jury.
Living-Garden House (Izbica)
Designer: Robert Konieczny i KWK Promes (Poland)
Referring to our ancestors living mostly in nature and moving under the roof only for the night, KWK Promes designed a house which is an architectural reminiscence of the past. By replacing floors with lawns, its inhabitants can commune with nature during the day and climb up on another floor for sleeping. Turning the house into the glazed box let in sunlight in the early morning, what intensifies the effect of living in nature.
Konieczny’s Ark (Brenna)
Designer: Robert Konieczny i KWK Promes (Poland)
The Ark is another unusual project of Robert Konieczny. Located on the hills of Brenna (Southern Poland), it refers to a boat flowing through the ocean of green. It was mostly built from concrete and stays horizontally stable on three brackets. Such a solution was necessary, as the flowing water after heavy rains could wash away the construction. As the architects says, the process of designing was as short as three days, however the construction took years. Nevertheless, it was worth it – the ark received a nomination at the World Architecture Festival.
Buildings ‘Kurkowa 14’ and ‘Dubois 41’ (Wrocław)
Designer: Maćków Pracownia Projektowa (Poland)
Both buildings are located on the Odra riverside in Wroclaw (southwestern Poland). The project was nominated in the category “Mixed Use”, as the buildings merge working and living spaces. Kurkowa 14 is a modern block of flats, while Dubois 41 offers offices for rent. The green park between the two buildings connects both constructions.
CKK Jordanki (Toruń)
Designer: Menis Arquitectos (Spain)
The cultural space of CKK Jordanki was designed by the famous Spanish architect Fernando Menis yet in 2008. Its shape and colour was inspired by the Medieval gothic old town of Toruń, where the building is located. The construction is not only intriguing, but also multi-functional – it can serve as a concert hall, theatre, cinema as well as conference centre. The architectural vision was changed many times, however the result is impressive!
Field House (Głogów)
Designer: Blank Architects (Poland)
This charming field house was built in the town of Glogow (southwestern Poland). Its wooden construction refers to the field houses from the 19th century, however the interior remains modern. A combination of past and current architectural trends resulted in simple, but stylish building. Take a look at the photos.
Summer Theatre (Szczecin)
Designer: Flanagan Lawrence (United Kingdom)
However, the project of the Summer Theatre in Szczecin (northwestern Poland) exists only on paper, it has already brought discussion over its contribution to the architectural landscape of Szczecin. The amphitheatre will be covered with white plastic panels and will remind a futuristic shape from sci-fi movies. Take a look at the pictures and visualisations.
Cover photo: ckkjordanki/Kasia Koźlikowska | Flickr licensed under CC0 1.0. Title: Dni Otwarte na Jordankach.
