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Location: Environmental education park

The Strzeszyn Ecological Education Park was established with the goal of integrating education with direct contact with nature. It was established around a retention reservoir on the Wierzbak watercourse, in the vicinity of Primary School No. 1. The impetus for tidying up this area was a dramatic accident, namely, teenagers falling through the ice and a rescue operation involving teachers, firefighters and rescuers.

Nature studies conducted in 2012 revealed the presence of several protected animal species in the area. The park was opened in January 2013. Educational boards prepared by teachers were placed along the paths, and a shelter with benches was built to provide a place for outdoor classes, protecting students from the sun and rain.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Grade 6 students from Primary School No. 1 took part in design workshops, during which they learned about issues related to the design of public spaces. They also had the opportunity to empathise with the needs of different groups of users of the green area next to the school. Using design thinking methods, they analysed the perspectives of children, teenagers and adults. During a walk, they were asked to describe their impressions of the place, both its advantages and disadvantages.
In their comments, the students noted the soothing singing of birds, the presence of greenery and water, but also the noise, damaged gazebos, holes in the turf and litter. They emphasised that they could relax in the park, which allows a restful period from the hustle and bustle of the school. According to them, the park could serve as a place to relax after classes, but also for reading, drawing, studying or even meditating. All groups noted the lack of shaded areas for resting and additional physical activities for children.
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DESIGN GUIDELINES:

Ultimately, in accordance with the suggestions of the Strzeszyn Housing Estate Council, the implementation of the structure in the Environmental Education Park was planned. The designed space should allow for relaxation for individuals, families and small groups. It may consist of several parts that allow for rest, learning, and play, and will also serve as an auditorium for performances or a venue for small-scale activities, such as yoga or Tai Chi.

The designed structure must be:

– Aesthetic, minimalist and well-suited to the space.
– Adapted to the needs of both children and adults.
– Ensuring the safety of users, including small children.
– Durable, resistant to weather conditions and vandalism.
– When designing elements in the area of a hillside, it is necessary to check the ground. The park was established on a site where construction waste was stored and there may be buried remains locally.
– Easy and inexpensive to maintain

– Optionally, children could carry out additional simple work under the supervision of teachers or during installation in the field.
The design and implementation process should therefore provide for the following:
– The structure should be permanently connected to the ground to ensure its stability. When positioning the structure, the root systems of trees growing in the vicinity and the terrain should be taken into account.
– When designing structures, safety issues (including for children) and comfort of use for individuals and small groups should be taken into account first and foremost.

 

FINAL RESULTS

Tipi is a wooden structure built during a student workshop in one of Poznań’s parks. Designed as an outdoor classroom for a nearby school, it serves as a functional and flexible space for learning and gathering in nature. The structure has an open, skeletal form, made of wooden frames arranged in a way that loosely references the shape of a tipi. While it doesn’t follow the traditional circular layout or include a roof, the form suggests a shared central space and invites collective use. A lowered section in the middle of the platform emphasizes this idea, drawing from the concept of a campfire as a focal point for dialogue and learning.
Tipi is elevated slightly above the ground, offering a natural vantage point over the surrounding park. This position, combined with the openness of the structure, creates a strong sense of connection with the landscape. The light green color applied to the lower parts of the platform helps to visually anchor the structure in its environment, blending with the surrounding grass and vegetation. Attention to detail and careful craftsmanship are visible in each element, from the clean joinery to the subtle proportions. Although simple in its materiality, the structure is well-resolved and precise. The open frames overhead define the space without enclosing it, allowing light and air to move freely while giving a sense of orientation and structure. Inside, the platform offers enough space to seat an entire school class, making it suitable for outdoor lessons, discussions, or rest. The design supports various ways of using the space, without prescribing a single function.

Tipi is not a literal shelter, but rather a framework for interaction – a minimal but intentional intervention in the landscape that offers students and visitors a place to gather, observe, and learn in direct contact with nature.

 

STUDENT PARTICIPANTS:

Marcin Stępień, Paweł Konopczyński, Zuzanna Durak, Alicja Fijał, Julia Olenkiewicz, Klara Arrowsmith, Caio Ferreira Bonato, Valentina Krieg, Amélie Merzoug, Alec Rovensky, Siska Gyöngyvér, Koussay Farah, Zuzanna Sikora

 

Tutors: Karol Szparkowski + Jan Szymankiewicz

Architects from Poland

KAROL SZPARKOWSKI

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.

JAN SZYMANKIEWICZ

graduated from Architecture and Urbanism at University of the Arts in Poznan. He gained experience at NL Architects in Amsterdam and Coop Himmelblau in Vienna. Later he collaborated with OMA,
7478 and MVRDV in Rotterdam. He worked on various projects including public buildings, housing, infrastructure and interior design based in Europe, China and Middle East. He was involved in all project phases from concept design to design development.