Another archicochrome! School in Rytro undergoes redevelopment

Public buildings, educational establishments or private homes do not have an easy fate in Poland. Very often they are modernised or rebuilt, completely ignoring the original architecture and the context in which these buildings are located. Not long ago we wrote about the nightmarish reconstruction of a former school building in Chwałowice. Now it is the turn of Rytro, a picturesque mountain village in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. The authorities there have decided to modernise the primary school building.

The investment, which is being carried out at a cost of PLN 15 million, envisages modernising the facility and bringing it up to modern educational standards. However, there is no denying the negative impact the new architectural form will have on the landscape of the mountain village.

The school in Rytro – history and reconstruction

The school building in Rytro is a place with a rich history dating back to the 19th century. The first People’s State School was established in 1886, and the facility remembers a time when pupils attended despite difficult wartime and economic conditions. The current building, erected in the post-war years thanks to the commitment of the local community, had its own charm and fitted in perfectly with the cultural landscape of the Sącz region. The steep roofs (formerly covered with shingles), rows of windows, light-coloured facade, stone plinth and columns emphasised the local character of the building. Unfortunately, the current redevelopment involves far-reaching modifications that will dramatically change the look and feel of the facility. As part of the work, virtually the entire existing structure, including the gymnasium, has been demolished and the walls of the new building are going up. Its visuals show a building with a changed shape, form and a completely obliterated former character.

The school in Rytro before reconstruction. Photo: Google Maps

Modernity over history?

According to assurances from the municipal authorities, the modernisation will bring many benefits. The project involves the construction of a new sports hall and several additional classrooms. The entire facility will be adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. In addition, there are plans to renovate the rooms that were formerly used as a kindergarten. Despite these positive changes, the question arises: was a complete reconstruction of the building, in such a radically different style, necessary? Instead of demolishing and reshaping the old building, could it not have been decided to make a more subtle modernisation, preserving the original character?

The school in Rytro reborn. Work in progress

The eRSbet company, which won the tender organised by the municipality of Rytro, is responsible for the design and realisation of the reconstruction. The contract, worth more than PLN 10 million, was signed in mid-2023. In May 2024, the first construction work started, and it is planned to bring the building to a closed shell state already in the middle of this year. The next stage will be the interior finishing and furnishing of the facility, for which the municipality has raised an additional PLN 5 million. The eRSbet company is also the author of the kindergarten building that recently stood next to the school.

Destroying local identity under the watchful eye of the authorities

The redevelopment of the school in Rytro is part of a broad trend of modernising public buildings, which often ignores the historical and cultural context. Although modern construction has its advantages, Poland lacks attention to aesthetics and sensitivity to traditional architecture. As a result, buildings that could be anywhere in the world, without any connection to their current surroundings, are increasingly being constructed. The ongoing redevelopment is another example of the lack of due care for spatial order and cultural heritage on the part of local authorities. They are the ones who should be concerned with preserving the harmonious landscape of the places they manage. In 2023, the mayor of the municipality, Jan Kotarba, presented visuals of the upgraded facility on his social media profile. The mayor boasted of its success, without noticing at all the negative impact the new facility would have on the image of the picturesque mountain village. The next generation of schoolchildren will be learning in this building – does this architectural form provide them with an appropriate lesson in aesthetics and respect for tradition?

Source: dts24.pl, sprytro.pl