Student participiants:
Wojtek Hryszkiewicz, Jan Dąbrowski, Fernando Arturo Mendez Garzon, Ondřej Pechal, Magdaléna Buzova, Dominika Kopiarová, Levente Szasz, Zuzanna Badowska, Marianna Moskal
support: Simon Kos
Location: The „Strzelnica” Cultural Centre
Kulturní a společenské středisko „Střelnice” (eng. shooting range) is a municipal organisation bringing together the cultural and social activity of the city’s residents. It plays a cultural, social, educational and an entertainment role. The long-term goals of KaSS 'Střelnice’ are to encourage residents to meet, and to promote development of a broadly-defined culture. The institution also houses the „Central” Cinema, Jazzklub na Střelnici, the „Půda” gallery and the City Observatory (by the Cieszyn Theatre).
KaSS „Střelnice” organises mainly concerts, performances, lectures, meetings, workshops, reviews, competitions and exhibitions. As part of its activities, KaSS „Střelnice” also offers a wide range of hobby clubs, classes, workshops and artistic groups for all ages. In the building there are dance schools, board game and crosswords clubs, majorettes, a choir, painting classes for various age groups, as well as Pilates and yoga classes.
The KaSS „Střelnice” building itself was built in 1882 in a neoclassical style (designer: Teodor Heřmaský) by the Cieszyn Shooting Society. The Shooting Society (Schützengesellschaft) was founded by Cieszyn townspeople who continued the tradition of the so-called Fowler Brotherhoods, the members of which practised their shooting skills and were trained to defend the city walls – such Brotherhoods first appeared already in the Middle Ages. Members of the Society received the approval of the authorities to organise shooting competitions and the first of them took place already on April 24, 1796, on St. George’s day.
The honorary patronage over the Society was taken by Prince Albert Sasko Cieszyński and his successor Archduke Karol Ludwik. After two years, Emperor Francis II issued a special privilege allowing the Society to organise annual eight-day-long „Royal shootings”, the winner of which was awarded the title of a shooting king. Since then, the annual competition has become one of the most important city events celebrated in Cieszyn.
NEEDS
After conversations with garden users and employees of the Centre, it was concluded that what the garden needs most is a leisure structure or a seating furniture under the trees (which would ensure shade). The furniture / construction should be mobile – so that it can also be used during cultural events taking place in the garden. It can be anchored only with the use of concrete blocks. It is very important for the users and employees of the Centre to preserve the current character of the space – as a place of rest.
The garden is used by all age groups, primarily for rest and relaxation. As part of the cultural and educational activities of the cultural centre, the garden is used all year round – most intensively, of course, during the summer.
The garden is surrounded by a fence, but the entrance gate is open every day up until around 8 pm. In addition, a fragment of the fence facing the river was removed to facilitate access to the garden even when the KaSS „Střelnice” is closed.
FINAL RESULTS
The group led by a Warsaw-based polish architect Krol Szpakowski created 3 multi-purpose triangular platforms which turn into 3-dimensional shapes when their sides are turned. The 3-dimensional shapes constitute a contrasting reflection of a circular structure of a former hobby airfield in the middle of the plot. Construction of furniture pieces based on bentwood was a demanding process and required special solutions which had to be developed on the spot. The process of the objects’ creation was an experiment in which possibilities of construction from wood were pushed to a limit. The objects created can be read as anchors in a free-floating space of the garden, providing at the same time possibility to stay there for a while. The oval shape with slightly elevated peaks on each side of the platform allows a subtle swinging while sitting or laying down on the furniture. The playful nature of the furniture elements lets users enjoy them as they want, at the same time adjusting to various needs and scenarios. The platform’s simple form allows for an open interpretation of its function. Structures can be treated as three independent elements freely scattered around, or could be combined together in a single large object supporting bigger cultural events.
Tutor: plus48 architecture/ Karol Szparkowski
Architect from Poland
Architect and partner in the +48 Design Group.
A young generation architect, together with Kamil Miklaszewski they opened the +48 architectonic studio. The studio is interested both in constructional as well as innovative application of materials. Karol is a lecturer at the University of Ecology and Management where he applies a workshop method, specialising in teaching object shaping through workshops. He pays particular attention to construction, erecting temporary pavilions in his classes. His method is based on illustrating and explaining the conditions which impact the building’s shape. During classes with students, he eagerly reaches for the workshop method. Methodology of these workshops, which can be adjusted to diverse groups of participants, was also used while working with children from Ukraine and Georgia.
When it comes to social activity, together with other members of the +48 Group, he actively supports social organisation directly interested in architecture, city planning and historic buildings conservation, as well as those working within the field of development and education with the use of architecture and architectural workshops.