Student participants:
Simon Kos, Lucie Kohakova, Agata Kotlicka, Magdalena Talarczyk, Karolina Krawiec, Michalina Grzyb, Kristian Vnucko, Lucie Zádrapová, Jakub Brahmi, Ben Liberwirth, Lazar Karpachev, Maksym Bal, Barbara Dondajewska
Location: Northern part of Dębina
The location is in the northern part of Dębina by the Dębińska road. This location is related to the history of Princess Louise Hohenzholler Radziwiłł’s activity in Poznan. The Princess was the wife of the governor of the Great Duchy of Posen, Prince Antonii Radziwiłł. As a result of the princess’ efforts, a road was marked out from the city to Dębina, today known as Droga Dębińska. In Dębina, the princess ordered to build a forest (hunting) palace. The outline of the area on which this building was erected has survived, with some changes, until today. On the border of the princess’ property, around the years of 1820-1830 oaks were planted, of which 11 remain to this day. Their distribution in the area most likely references the constellation of stars found in the coats of arms of the Hohenzollern family (source: Adam Suwart). Perhaps their planting was attended by Fryderyk Chopin, who was friends with the Radziwiłł family, and the future German emperor, Wilhelm I.
FOREST BATHS
Forest baths are nothing more than immersing all your senses in nature. Their purpose is not to simply wander through the forest, but to perceive it and draw from it in every possible way: breathing the forest air, listening to the rustle of leaves, the wind, the chirping of birds. It is important to quiet your thoughts and focus on the here and now. The art of quieting down in nature is difficult to master, but its benefits are immeasurable. When practicing forest bathing, you not only contemplate nature, but also realise that you are a part of it. The practice of forest bathing dates back to antiquity, and in Japan it is called shinrin-yoku.
Shinrin yoku is also called the Japanese art of drawing power from nature. It originated in Japan, where in the 1980s it was used as part of a national program to improve citizens’ health. The first nature therapy centre was established in 1982 in the Akasawa forest, and the visible benefits resulted in the interest of the scientific community and therapists from other countries.
NEEDS
In the indicated location, there should be a 2-3-person seat or a lounger for breathing exercises or meditation as part of forest baths. There should be a piece of furniture consisting of one or two elements for private use – for a maximum of several people. The piece of furniture is intended mainly for observing trees from a lying-down or reclining position – observing the play of sunlight through branches and leaves. The furniture can be located either under both selected oaks – creating a certain type of furniture set, or under one of the selected trees. The furniture should be placed around the circumference of the tree crowns or at some distance – not in close proximity to the trunks of valuable oaks, enabling the observation of the tree and focusing attention both on the detail – trunk, bark, leaves – and observation from a distance.
FINAL RESULTS
Many drawings and mockups were created during the brainstorming the project group. The process was not simple, as many solutions were considered, both very complicated and the most simplified. In the end, a seemingly simple bench was designed. In order not to distract the users of this place, specific details and a complicated form have been
abandoned. Instead, a solid, heavy structure was used, which with its size attracts the attention of passers-by and encourages relaxation. The simplicity of finishing the bench gives order to the wildness of the forest. It was important to create a very comfortable seat that anyone could use, also for people with reduced mobility. A very high backrest separates users contemplating under the tree from voices coming from the road or forest path. In order to feel the natural atmosphere of the place even better, mainly wood was used here. All these factors make that the place is perceived in a sacred and even mystical way.
Tutor: Karol Żurawski
Architect from Poland
Karol Żurawski studied architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology. After graduation, he worked for 4 years in Switzerland for Peter Zumthor, the winner of Pritzker Architecture Prize. He is registered as an architect in REG A in Switzerland and IARP in Poland. He teaches architectural design at Warsaw University of Technology.
Karol Żurawski founded the atelier in 2015 in Warsaw.
„In the design atelier we work on diverse projects, often of different scale, from small objects through buildings up to extensive landscapes. We believe that the quality of space matters and it is worth dedicating time and commitment to develop it. We are passionate about our work.”