Urban
Seixal, Portugal
Eng. Jan Biernawski
Southern Portugal is know for its beautiful beaches and waterfronts. One of the most famous waterfronts with great design potentials is located in the Setubal town.
Clear spatial solutions used for this concept are multiplying the beauty of the natural landscape of the waterfront. Light concrete and simple geometrical forms fit perfectly to the broad, blue surface of water.
Greenery had been limited to wide dark-leaved trees that give a shadow in a sunny days. The space is a high standard public boulevard, perfect for long summer walks.
Warsaw, Poland
Eng. Tomasz Nowakowski
MLA Agnieszka Olszewska
The aim of the competition was to creat a high quality and representative urban public space in which the square could play a traditional role of meeting and walking point as well as regional celebrations. The sqare needed an exposition of its historical and turistical values.
Nowadays the sqare has an important central potential and is dominated by traffic routes. It works mainly as a comunication knot and a parking lot. Our major assumption is to increase volume of greenery, meeting points and pedestrian friendly zones, Keeping and exposing the historical Stanisl
awowska urban axis was also an important point.
Vital thing about our project is consistency of the square with the spatial structure of the southern city centre and with revitalized Royal Route. From the technical point of view the crutial thing was to shape the space so that the construction of multilevelled inderground parkin was possible.
Warsaw, Poland
Eng. Jan Biernawski
The aim of the competition was to create the space which is friendly and consistant with the architecture of the building. The sourrounding of “Wolf” should encourage meetings and spending the free time outside.
The task was to create: the coffe-garden zone, beds for planting and trees, illumination, benches, sculpture-landscape installation, rubish bins, boulders and fencings, adversisment LCD screen. other elements according to the concept.
Lisbon, Portugal
Eng. Jan Biernawski
Ajuda National Palace is a unique building, both in terms of architectural character and its destiny. However, the size of this impressive neoclassical building only partially reflects the splendor and character of what the creators wanted to achieve. Because of lack of resources it was never fully completed. Especially the western facade of the palace strayed off the original plans.
The following concept of renewal of facade, involves the installation of stainless steel frame for support the west elevation . This structure, through the proper planting of climbers, for example, species or Parthenocissus tricuspidata or Hedera helix, and also by installing a network of metal wires, will be able to reflect more truly the shape and volume of a building. The growing vegetation do not need meticulous care, and their need for water and soil are small. The steel structure is relatively easy to install and low cost. Moreover, the whole construction will be completely non-invasive – not permanently connected to the existing building, so it will not be deformed. And if necessary, can be removed. An additional advantage of the project and the translucency and lightness of the green structure and the possibility of a dynamic change of color during the year (depending on the species).
Setubal, Portugal
Eng. Jan Biernawski
The Monastery of Jesus is a historical religious building in Setubal, Portugal. It is one of the first buildings in the Manueline style, the Portuguese version of late Gothic. The cloisters of the convent houses the museum of the Monastery.
The Monastery of Jesus was founded around 1490 outside the city walls of Setubal by Justa Rodrigues Pereira, a noblewoman of the Portuguese royal court.The church and monastery were severely damaged by the Great Earthquake of 1755. The earthquakes of 1531, 1858, 1909 and 1969 inflicted minor damage.
The proposal includes a complete program of renovation of surrounding of that building with arrangments for tourism and recreation.
Warsaw University of Life Sciences Campus
Warsaw, Poland
Eng. Jan Biernawski
Visualizations for conceptual Campus development plan od Warsaw University of Life Sciences. These images are primarily an attempt of graphic skills of our 3D drawers!
Coimbra, Portugal
MLA Agnieszka Olszewska
Avenida Fernao Magella?s is a wide avenue which for generations has been a northern entrance to the city. It is parallel to Mondego river on the old flooding area. The process of urbanization and industrialization had the big impact on landscape of the street. Because of urban sprawl, buildings (mostly representing the industrial realm) started to grow on the sides of the avenue. The traffic circulation increased significantly after connecting the avenue to the exits of the highways.
It seems that the guidelines concerning aesthetic and composition aspects of the street were not taken under consideration by decision makers of that times. As a result Avenida Fernao Magellha?s shows a heterogeneous character of industrial landscape and faces many communication problems. As a matter of fact it doesn’t support good reception of the whole image of Coimbra city.
Glasgow , Scotland
MHLA, with MLA Agnieszka Olszewska
The aim of the design is to create a new route through a large area of open space on the outskirts of the Drumry area of Clydebank (Glasgow). In so doing linking surrounding neighborhoods and turning this almost unused space into a vibrant linear park adding greatly to the health and wellbeing of the local residents.
Interest is created along the path using planting, eart mounding, framing views, forming seating and play areas. There is also the opportunity for artworks along the route. The path will be a major recreational resource for passive pursuits such as dog walking and the more active running and cycling. Informal play areas will generate more activity along the route. As this path would link with existing routes such as the canal it allows for extended cycling jogging routes.
At present the area is typically a large “green desert” of mown grass new woodland and parkland tree planting along with newly created meadow areas will greatly increase the habitats in the space as well as making it much more attractive area.
Drazovce, Slovakia
MLA Agnieszka Olszewska, MLA Katarzyna Martyna, MLA Kasper Jakubowski
Analysis of landscape units in the area of Drazovce – around Nitra (Slovakia). The aim of the analysis was assessing the abiotic complexes in the site, including geological substrates, inclination, soil types and land use. The output image is a great contribution into creating new masterplan corresponding with the concept of sustainable development.
Tarczyn, Poland
Eng. Tomasz Nowakowski
The project involves the construction of sports and recreation complex in the municipality Tarczyn – it involves the construction of mixed- leisure and recreational open park
Recreation & sports complex will be located at less than 5HA land near the very center of Tarczyn. LA Stadium football field and stands for 1100 will enable support for public events such as football games and olimpic sports. Due to its parameters in accordance with the requirements of the IAAF, the International Federation of Association Athletics, the object will be able to host a game of national and international level.
The project involves the solutions to eliminate barriers for disabled people.
Forest Turism & Recreation Design
Montesinho Natural Park, Portugal
M.L.A. Agnieszka Olszewska, M.L.A. Marika Zirk, Antonio Seixas
Project undertaken during FORREC Summer Intensive Course of Forest Tourism and Recreation in Bragance (Portugal). The selected site is located next to the village Franca on the old fishing farm area next to the mountain slope and the river. The proposal includes the deep study on natural and cultural valueas of the park and the site which was supposed to make the place more attractive for forest tourusm and recreation. Two weeks of intensive work in site and in design office gave an opportunity to study not only the area of the design but also on the big context of the Park. Deep analysis of ecological processes, history and cultural values made decision makers able to identify potentials and values of the Park considered in wide context. Getting more data about the spot demanded few trips to the site and taking more photos, observing the plants and animal’s species and human activity sign around the place. The first thing to notice after coming to the selected place is the fact of it extremely beautiful landscape.
ProjectName:Residential square
ProjectLocation:Kraśnik, PL
ProjectYear:2016
The idea for the square is inspired by contemporary solutions that are designed to introduce the green housing estate with an emphasis on order and minimalist form.
It is proposed to introduce a circle-shaped path, which is to be the dominant of the composition. The communication system is clear and functional, and gives an interesting decorative element in a view from the upper floors of apartment buildings.
The geometry of the lines is softened by a path that intersects the square. It divides the suqare into two areas with different functions. The south-east part of it is a place for calm relaxation among the greenery, and the north-west area is more open for recreational functions such as playground.
The entry point to the square is accentuated with a small paved area with a modern architectural concrete bench of an elegant form. Its accompanied by three concrete & steel planters separating the parking lot from the square.
The material used for pavements is a clear concrete slab that is perfectly underlining the modern character of the design.
The square will be equipped with a double swing, carousel, slide, sandbox and roofed resting place for parents, and wooden benches around the circle, bins and lighting lamps.
Introduced plants are – conifers (3 Engelmann’s spruce) and deciduous (7 silver lime trees), hedges of yew shrubs and coniferous and deciduous pot (creeping juniper, mountain pine var. ‚Pumilio’, Euonymus fortunei).
Selected evergreen species are resistant to severe weather conditions and are very easy to maintain. The proposed lawn is based on modern, but economic solutions, while holding high aesthetic quality for the space housing estate.
ProjectName: Recreation area
ProjectLocation: Rakowice, PL
ProjectYear:2015
This space can serve as a rest stop for cyclists, or pedestrians, and so can be used as a picnic and recreation area.
Also, this place will be viewed by people crossing paths at this point, it is to provide a nice accent in the landscape, which at the same time is not dominant on the surrounding cultural landscape. View of a pumping station and a drainage channel, is not desirable, therefore, we used solutions to mask the unwanted elements.
ProjectName: Green City Square
ProjectLocation: Kruszyn, PL
ProjectYear:2015
The main idea of this site is to create a friendly space, intended for passive recreation, the place which will greatly enhance the landscape by introduction of plants and small architecture with high aesthetic values. This area is to be a square which decorates with greenery all the surrounding buildings and elements of infrastructure.
ProjectName: Bus Stop Area
ProjectLocation: Kozlow, PL
ProjectYear:2015
This area is to serve as a part of transportation infrastructure that is pleasant to the eye, and does not dominate over the natural landscape, but providing the spatial order in the bus stop area.
It is located at the entrance to the village Kruszyn in Southwest Poland, hence the project should meet the kind of representative functions and welcome the visitors. The design concept includes the planting plan for helping to organize the space and bond all parts of the site into a harmonious whole.
Greenery is planned in undulating forms, which would alleviate the structure of straight lines visible both in the roads, and nieghboring farms. The place that cements the composition of design is a bus stop. The project does not include any paths. It was recognized that in order to improve the functionality of this site paths are redundant, while only a collection of the outdoor furniture: a sitting area with trellises, which provides shielding from the sun for people awaiting the buses.
The focus is primarily on the visual qualities of vegetation, which will be visible for both drivers of passing cars, and people waiting for buses.
Green Solution for an Informal Parking
ProjectName: Green Solution for an Informal Parking
ProjectLocation: Komorów, PL
ProjectYear:2015
The concept of developing the square bases on the creation of green partitions in the triangle between the passageways so as to regulate the relationships visually, partially shutting the view of the railway, as well as to make it more difficult for illegal car parking.
Taking into account the two above mentioned issues, the land development problems can be solved by suitable design of green. It is proposed to introduce high vegetation of high decorative vaçues and modulating the terrain.
Change of the landuse from the parking lot into the biologically active aesthetically appealing, blending in with the existing environment is quite a radical change. The introduction of vegetation in this area will require improvement of the soil quality. For this purpose, the reclamation and partial replacement of the substrate will be necessary.
The spatial arrangement of the proposed elements of vegetation and topography are presented in two variants. Both variants are comparable in terms of the budget needed for the construction and maintenance. We tried to maximize the quality, attractiveness and ease of maintenance of greenery while minimizing the resources needed.
Variant 1 “Pastel clumps”
First option offers planting of trees in groups of three, evenly spread throughout the study. The proposed tree species is Acer negundo in a variety’Variegatum’ or Sorbus aria. Selecting one of these species depends on the preference of the investor and the actual availability of the tree at the local nurseries. However, both species are characterized by high values ââof decorativeness and similar habitat requirements. Both are also equally compatible with the concept.
The spaces between “clumps” of trees will be filled with Spiraea shrubs, which creates a low, tight coverage area. This plant is undemanding in terms of habitat, but very attractive in the summer months -pink flowers , and autumn – beautiful discoloration.
The area under the canopy will be covered with the bark that will provide adequate conditions for the growth of trees and to prevent the development of weeds.
Option 2 “Birch mounds”
In Option 2, terrain is undulating so that it can no longer serves as a car parking. The degraded soil can be reused to shape the irregular mounds, with birch thees characterized by clear white bark planted on tops of them. Covering an area of ââmounds with Japanese pachysandra or ivy, forming a dense, evergreen groundcover.
Irregular stripes between the hills were filled with a lawn that is recommended to mow several times a year.
ProjectName: National Memorial in Pecice
ProjectLocation: Pecice, PL
ProjectYear:2014
National Memorial in Pecice, close to Warsaw commemorates almost hundred victims of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944.
The project included revitalization of the place with the special focus on the trees management and a new plantation plan.
Champagne Garden – Party Garden Contest
ProjectName:Champagne Garden – Party Garden Contest
ProjectLocation:Ponte de Lima, PT
ProjectYear:2013
If the plants organized the party…
Champagne garden bases its concept on the positive emotions connected with the party as a joyful, exciting and beautiful event. The dominant of this garden is a central round table-like stage covered with the pendulous plants (such as the table linen covers the round table). On the „table” there is a big sculpture referring to the champagne-glasses pyramid that is element of elegant and important celebrations.
However instead of bubbling champagne we put inside the plants and flowers that reveal associations with the champagne (such as strawberries and flowers on its color). They are planted in a hydrogel, so all of construction is see-through, and looks like a real consumption-ready pyramid! From underneath the table there are four water streams directed towards four sides of the gardens. Those streams are , metaphorically supplying the pyramid with water. That enables the visitor of a positive reflection and individual interpretation of the meaning of the garden , such as for example this is the party for little plants growing inside the glasses!.
Visitors can walk around the round table on the wooden boardwalk, and step out for standing areas with the metal barriers. Around there is a nice and joyful plantation that welcomes the visitors and full them with a positive-party-energy!
ProjectName:Urban Park
ProjectLocation:Marki, PL
ProjectYear:2013
The concept of developing urban park was organized as part of a public competition.
The area of study is almost 20 ha recreation area – in the city of Marki next to Warszawy. The park has become an attractive place for residents of the city, where they will have the opportunity to enjoy both active and passive activities.
For the most part the existing stand was maintained , in the open space the natural meadow was designed. The concept provides for the establishment of:
• The area of pedestrian and bicycle activity, adapted to the needs of people with disabilities.
• Places for passive recreation with wooden decks, stairs, lounges, benches and other elements of small architecture.
• Places adapted to bbq equipped with two wooden shelters with tables and seating.
• Playground with separate areas for parents and younger children, older children and sports zone.
• The bicycle path was adapted for daily workout and thematic events, with elements for skateboarders and rollerbladers.
• Regulating water reservoirs and adapting them to perform many functions such as: recreation, decorative, phytosanitary and the creation of reservoirs for frogs that are protected.
• Parking on a semi-permeable surfaces with 35 places for cars.
Design by: Agnieszka Chadała, Katarzyna Gębalska, Julia Hanke, Maria Klinge
Installation “Forest of the spirits”
ProjectName: Installation “Forest of the spirits”
ProjectLocation: Gdynia, PL
ProjectYear:2009
The park Kolibki in Gdynia-Orlowo held an unusual sculpture workshops. Unusual, because it welcomed the artists in a space remembering the times of Hetman Sobieski (later the king John III, “who drove the Turks from Vienna”) Kolibki park, is also unusual because the subject of the exposition concerned plein air landscape and public space in the landscape. The design and execution of one of the winning installations belonged to us. The installation titled “Forest of the Spirits” had the following description:
“The souls and forest spirits, wandering among the trees, from time to time appear to people. Curious wanderers watch those translucent, luminous beings without fear, but with a reflection on transience.”
The installation was made of a flexible mesh and a wire.
