Warsaw Central Square by Architects for Urbanity

Warsaw Central Square
Warsaw Central Square
Belvedere

The design of the Central Square is based on the idea to create a ‘mosaic of activities’ that can generate urban vibrancy and attract all kinds of citizens and age groups of Warsaw. The square becomes an accumulation of different smaller public spaces that facilitate unique uses and break down the immense scale of the intervention into more human proportions.

Warsaw Central Square
Axonometry

The design of the square receives the programmatic excitement of the surrounding cultural buildings as an extension of their interior activities and as an independent initiator of events. The Central Square of Warsaw is inevitably a ‘Theatre Plaza’ that has to be able of hosting the outdoors exhibitions, events and performances of the TR Warszawa Theatre, the Museum of Modern Art and the various cultural institutions that are based in the Palace of Culture and Science.

Warsaw Central Square
Image © Architects for Urbanity

Activities
Each one of the ‘programmatic carpets’ of the square has its own character and potential to facilitate specific activities for the visitors. Their position and adjacencies are studied so that they can be combined and work together for larger venues. Some of those smaller squares are:
– Central Square: an inverted pyramid with a smooth slope and distinct red pavement, in which users can sit in groups, create informal events and enjoy the panoramic view of the plaza and the landmarks that surround it

Warsaw Central Square
Axo Frontal

– Theatre Square: a wooden deck space in front of the large gates of the TR Warszawa Theatre that can host performances and act as an extension of the scene of the theatre into the open space of the city
– Music Plaza: an interactive small square that features an over-scaled urban piano on the floor and various other outdoor musical instruments, such as xylophones, drums, harps etc
– Agora: a space hosting the Parade Stand and small scale political gatherings, the Agora is a place for social contemplation, activism and thinking – yet at the same time is serves as a monument to the Cold War politics and the socialist heritage of Warsaw

Warsaw Central Square
Fragments

– Temporary Market: a multifunctional square containing the facilities and infrastructure for the organization of small market events and commercial venues
– Playground: a place for children and teenagers to release their energy and entertain themselves with a series of urban facilities such as skate park, swings, slides and climbing walls
– Square of Water: an empty space in front of the eastern entrance of the square, in which the central elements are the floor water fountains and the public interplay that they generate

Warsaw Central Square
Image © Architects for Urbanity

– Green Carpet: a green stripe of grass, flowers and small trees that can create a pleasant microclimate in the hot summer days or a urban garden in the wintertime
– Café Plaza: an empty site on the intersection of the TR WarszawaTheatre, the Forum and the Museum of Modern Art, on which the two institutions can have their open air café tables, organise special events or serve lunch and dinner to their visitors
– Relaxation Area: a pleasant urban lounge, a plaza with trees and benches for individuals and small group gatherings.

Warsaw Central Square
Event Spaces

Symbolism
The proposal refers back to the historical roots of the old Plac Defilad and introduces a new symbolic value to the creation of the new Central Square. The project preserves and reintegrates the Grand Parade Stand on the South-Western side of the new Square as an ‘Agora’, a place for political thinking and contemplation. Other historical elements are also preserved and highlighted, such as the traces of the Warsaw Ghetto wall in the new Jewish corner of the square and the existing public space in front of the Palace of Culture and Science.

Warsaw Central Square
Image © Architects for Urbanity

Materiality
The diverse combination of materials such as natural stones, polished concrete floors, wooden decks, ceramic tiles, prefab elements etc leads to the creation of a rich mosaic of elements and a high level of aesthetical appearance. Most of the natural stones and wooden elements come from different corners of Poland and all the custom materials and construction systems express the local craftsmanship of the country. As such, the Central Square becomes a material representation of the natural resources and a common place of unity for all the Poles across the nation. Source by Architects for Urbanity.

Warsaw Central Square
Details
  • Location: Warsaw, Poland
  • Architect: Architects for Urbanity
  • Project Team: Irgen Salianji, Karolina Szóstkiewicz, Marina Kounavi, Harris Vamvakas, Tatiana Zoumpoulaki
  • Status: international competition
  • Year: 2017
  • Images: Courtesy of Architects for Urbanity
Warsaw Central Square
Masterplan
Warsaw Central Square
Concept Urban Diagramm
Warsaw Central Square
Urban Functions
Warsaw Central Square
Urban Flows
Warsaw Central Square
Program
Warsaw Central Square
Section

1 Comment

  1. Thank you pertaining to taking turns the following superb subject matter on your web-site. I noticed it on the internet. I am going to check to come back if you publish additional aricles.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *