At 20/22 Belwederska Street in Warsaw stands the former Centralny Dom Handlowy “Dom Książki Uniwersus” – a building that is a symbol of innovation and an innovative approach to architecture. The building was constructed between 1975 and 1980 and originally housed one of the largest and most modern bookshops in Poland. Its unique architecture was recognised and appreciated, as evidenced by the title of Mister Warsaw 1980. Today, the building serves as an office space and is also used as a rack for large-format advertisements.
The past and a time of change
On the site where the building now stands, there used to be a 19th-century neo-Renaissance tenement house, which had served as a hostel for paralytics since 1881. After its demolition, it was decided to create a building that reflected the spirit of the new era. In 1975, a team of architects comprising: Leszek Sołonowicz, Ryszard Lisiewicz and Arkadiusz Starski designed an ultra-modern edifice with interiors by Włodzimierz Kaczmarzyk.
Construction, architecture and purpose
The very construction of the pavilion, pompously named Uniwersus, aroused the interest of Varsovians. At the time, attention was drawn to its unusual form, standing out from other buildings in the area. It was described as ‘an iron construction of fancy figure, with a terrace on top and an arcade below, resembling a box with three levels’. The location, close to the Royal Baths, was thought to be ideal for such a novel development. Initially, Uniwersus was planned to be a Soviet exhibition pavilion, but eventually, in 1980, one of the most modern bookshops in Poland opened here. The place was carefully thought out – offering an extensive book collection, meeting room, record department, exhibition space, café and cloakroom. The bookshop was distinguished by its self-service stalls, which were very popular with customers. 100 shopping baskets were constantly in use and long queues formed at the checkouts.
“Warsaw was enriched by yet another cultural institution – the largest bookshop in the capital on Belwederska Street.” Source: Stolica weekly, no. 27-28 (1698-99), 06.07.1980
Technical problems and changes of function
The building had its drawbacks, however. Leaky windows and low temperatures in winter forced employees to work in extra coverings. The air curtain at the entrance was not used for cost-saving reasons. After the political transformation of the 1990s, the bookshop was closed and the building was converted into an office building. In 2015, Selko Industries sought permission to demolish and replace the Universus with a 55-metre high tower. This idea aroused opposition from the architectural community and local residents and ultimately did not come to fruition. The Uniwersus itself was described as an attempt to emulate the Japanese Brutalism of the 1960s and the structuralism of Soviet architecture of the 1970s, but according to experts, the form of the building was not fully in keeping with these trends. Eventually, the building was placed under conservation protection as a contemporary cultural asset.
Universus – architecture and the future
Uniwersus is an example of architecture inspired by Brutalism, especially its Japanese variant. The steel structure allowed the creation of a pillarless hall with impressive dimensions of 80 by 80 metres. The façade was made of syenite, with aluminium details emphasising the futuristic character of the building. Large strips of windows guaranteed access to natural light, which was crucial to the bookshop’s exhibition function. After dark, however, the illuminated interiors gave the building a sense of lightness. They were originally finished in wood, stone and aluminium, which created a very elegant space. Today, Uniwersus remains an important element of Warsaw’s architectural landscape. Its further fate, however, remains uncertain, as although it is listed as a contemporary cultural asset, it still lacks strict protection from possible demolition.
Source: cargocollective.com, warszawskiemozaiki.pl
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