Student participiants:
Natalija Otonicar, Barbora Tothova, Giovanna Muzzi, Bea Zsiliniszky, Paulina Frankowska, Bartosz Bisaga, Attila Cseplo. Bartosz Zabiega, Petr Vacek, Adam Mierzwa
Location: Ziemia wspólna- community garden
The garden (Common Ground) is located in the southern part of the Wilda district on its border with Dębiec. It is located in an area with an interesting history, in the vicinity of assumptions and buildings that are an example of shaping the city at the beginning of the 20th century. It is directly adjacent to the historic complex of houses of the Railway Workers Cooperative established in the years 1927-1928, allotment gardens designated in 1934 and the historic cemetery of the Corpus Christi parish established in 1912. Further away, between ul. Wspólna and 28 Czerwca 1956 there is a residential complex of the „Spar und Bauvercin” cooperative built between 1913 and 1915
ORGANIZERS
Culture Shelter Europe is about place, organisation and people. It is a space run in an air raid shelter at 24 Rolna Street open to residents and their activities. It is an association that carries out social, educational and cultural activities geared towards supporting the development of wilderness communities and local communities. This is a group of people who feel that there is nothing more important than close relationships. We are open to beautiful and important local issues.
Common Land ( Ziemia Wspólna) is a new neighbourhood space at 40 Wspólna Street. A place open to joint social, environmental, educational and cultural activities. Open for various workshops or community integration meetings and a space for daily recreation.
TASK
Discussions with gardening workshop participants determined the location and nature of the elements. Participants pointed out that the area receives significant sunlight and that elements providing temporary shade should be introduced. The terrain on the side of Wspólna street is an advantage but also a challenge. A small slope divides the area from the street but can also be a barrier for the elderly and wheelchair users. The off-road stairs (probably created alongside the playground) are in poor condition and do not facilitate movement for the less physically fit. A solution would be to modify the stairs with a designated ramp for wheelchairs or bicycles. The bushes separating the area from the path leading to the allotment gardens are used for children to hide in but are also heavily littered.
„Opiekunowie Ziemi Wspólnej” (Guardians of the Common Land) have plans to develop the area in stages. Ideas have emerged to create a natural play area, elements to shade the area or totems to highlight the entrance to the site in the upcoming years.
FINAL RESULTS
After talks with representatives of residents and the housing estate council, the group decided to create two multi -functional platforms that will allow to implement a number of cultural and integration events here. Two platforms, due to different functions, were placed at different heights. A lower, double platform located under a tree can be used as a scene for music bands or a place to sit Also used as a table during picnic meetings or gardening.
High columns have been attached to both platforms, which give the possibility of suspending lighting, paintings/posters or other items prepared at workshops made by the local community. The red color of the columns used for both constructions, contrasting with the surrounding greenery is to attract the eyes of passers -by and encourage them to visit this common space. In turn, the wavy, the shape of both platforms comes from the organic space between greenery and the need to contrast the existing square bench created according to the design of the architect Łukasz Spychaj.
Tutor: Monika Reszka + Karol Szparkowski
Architects from Poland
MONIKA RYSZKA
Graduate of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at Kraków University of Technology. Founder of the design group Studio Kontent. Authenticity, openness and context are important to her when designing. She is enthusiastic about giving a second life to old objects. She believes that caring for space is as important as caring for relationships. She is keen to use natural materials in her work. She believes that their use allows us to transfer the energy we can find in nature into the designed spaces. She is an incorrigible optimist, loves mountains and travelling.
KAROL SZPARKOWSKI
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.