The investment site is situated within buildings developed well before WWII, which in the past was a part of a medieval city. Because of the damage, remains of medieval buildings were demolished after the war and the site was developed anew.
The form of the planned building refers to the historical context and its new function. The site is a part of the Old Town, which is listed by the conservation authority. While designing, the priority was to maintain the continuity of the development at Podgórna Street and enhance the quality of public space. The new building reflects principles of the historical frontage and the character of existing old town buildings along Podgórna Street.
Considering its function and current use, the new building has been divided into three main segments according to the recommendations of the conservator and provisions of the planning permit (DWZ). The segments differ in height (by at least 1.5 m), which follows the inclination of the site and Podgórna Street. Each of the three segments has additional vertical division that reflects the historical arrangement of plots. This translates into five distinct frontal elevations established by specific architectural measures, which gives an impression of having five adjacent buildings that continue the development at no 22 and 23 Podgórna Street. To achieve the effect, corner loggias within the frontal elevation end with vertical cladding.
According to the conservator guidelines, the elevation has an extended crowning which refers to historical solutions with a cornice and a balustrade. Elevation details, as well as the entire building, are made of traditional construction materials, similar to those applied in adjacent buildings (sizable plastered elevation surface).
The ground floor level, designated to services, visibly stands out. Eastern and western elevations are developed using similar architectural solutions to those in the frontal elevation. According to archived documents, buildings that no longer exist had subdued colours. The use of similar colours has been planned for the new building. Although the same finishing materials are used in the inner side of the building as those in the front, the architectural design is more contemporary.
The design foresees 93 apartments of two, three and four rooms that command an exquisite view on the Cathedral on the one side and the Oder River and Jaskółcza Island (Swallow Island) on the other side. A garage, as well as technical and auxiliary rooms and tenants’ storages are situated at the underground level. Photographs: Andrzej Golc. www.golc.photo
