This relatively tall residential U-shaped building is located in the very center of city of Wrocław. The building’s courtyard faces the future pedestrian passageway. The design was developed on the assumption that the building forms the first part of a much larger investment which is to include several residential buildings along ul. Gwiaździsta and ul. Szczęśliwa, as well as commercial buildings along ul. Powstańców Śląskich.
We have aimed for the building – despite its evident “mass” – not to become a “closed” object alienated from the surrounding area. In order to allow for different pedestrian flows, we have proposed to cut three passages (each 2-storey high) which allow for unimpeded flows between ul. Gwiaździsta and future pedestrian passage located at the axis of the planned development. The local master plan has not specified the maximum height of the building, so we have established this parameter based on the shading analysis, taking into account the neighboring residential buildings as well as a school building. (A waiver has been granted, which allowed to reduce the required sun access for existing and proposed multi-room flats to 1.5 hours.)
As per investor guidelines, we have planned the appartments in the way so each is equipped with a balcony or a small loggia. The internal courtyard facades are cladded with spruce wood, which required a special treatment in order to achieve adequate fire resistance parameters. It has also been a challenge to execute the window openings which have been designed without lintel, so that their top edges run in line with the ceiling. We have accentuated the slab levels with horizontal stripes made of aluminum panels.
conceptual design
bulding permit design
detailed design
site supervision
construction completed in 2014
PUM = 15 800 m²
256 appartments
investor: GP Investments sp. o.o.
design by team of Estudio Lamela Poland
