Student participiants:
Jiri Kostka, Mária Dvorská, Silvia Pajerová, Veronika Mikulová, Nastassia Mitrafanava, Antoni Bielicki, Franciszek Wąsowski, Eddie Hovakimyan, Emilia Przydryga, Alix Chartier
Location: Głuszyna
The earliest mention of the village of Głuszyna comes from the chronicle of Jan Długosz, who mentions the name of the village when describing the Teutonic Knights’ invasion of Greater Poland in 1331.
Noteworthy is the historical village layout preserved in the centre of Głuszyna, described as an oval village. This type of village was built around a circular or spindle-shaped square, in which there were buildings performing functions common to all inhabitants – in this case it is the Church of St James the Greater, with a cemetery established after 1815.
The village of Głuszyna was incorporated into Poznań in 1942. In the years 1977-1978, a project was conceived to transform the valley of the Głuszec (flowing through the Głuszyna area) and further down the Kopel into a large leisure and recreation centre of supra-regional importance. A large part of the river valley was to be flooded by a reservoir, over which marinas, campsites and leisure centres would be built.
Głuszyna still retains the former character of a suburban village, with buildings, wayside shrines and areas of farmland, woodland and meadows.
USERS
The users of the area are currently most often the inhabitants of Głuszyna moving around the area on foot, on bicycles, jogging or Nordic walking. A large group are also cyclists choosing paths running through the forests and meadows of Głuszyna during longer bicycle trips. Students from a nearby school or hostel also used the area.
During meetings with residents and members of the Głuszyna Housing Estate Council, we discussed the place and the needs of the local community.
The opportunity for wildlife watching was identified as the area’s greatest asset with picturesque mists forming in the Głuszec valley, various species of birds that live in the meadows , distant view of the valley, trees, the presence of a watercourse and a water supply ditch.
The element should be located next to the ditch, on the other side of the new woodland crops as well as the currently existing bench.
REQUIREMENTS
The element should be firmly connected to the ground to ensure its stability. The location of the element should take into account the root system of trees growing in the vicinity as well as changing water levels.
When designing structures, safety (including for children) and comfort for individuals as well as small groups must be a primary consideration.
The element should be a two-storey observatory with an attractive form that will attract attention in the field.
The structure should be designed in such a way as to provide observers with shelter from the wind and rain, but at the same time not to provide a permanent screen to encourage unwanted behaviour.
The side walls can also provide a place for information and educational elements. The dismantling of the existing bench, possibility of placing nearby.
CONCEPT
Imagine you are walking between the forest and the meadow in the sun and you would like to rest. Suddenly you find a place where you can sit comfortably, hide from the sun, pull out a snack and observe the surroundings. You watch play of light and shadow, you hear birds chirping in the distance.
FRAMING THE VIEW
Standing on the top of the stairs or sitting on a bench you can see and admire landscape all around the nest. Sitting on a stairs just behind the narrow entry you have framed view to the most magnificent view on the site.
MICRO-MAKRO
In the design we wanted to take into account the importance of perceiving nature as a whole. By macro we imagine having a panoramic view of the pine forests around, watching birds flying, stargazing or watching mists forming in the Głuszec valley.
As a micro part of the perception of nature we understand observing insects on the grass, rodents in the meadow or having the treetops just a few meters above your head.
Tutor: Karol Szparkowski
Architect from Poland
Architect and partner in the +48 architecture.
A young generation architect, together with Kamil Miklaszewski they opened the plus48 architecture 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 organisations 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.