In 1963, in the very heart of Warsaw at Wiejska 20, a residential building designed by prominent architects Jerzy Gieysztor and Jerzy Kumelowski was constructed. This realisation, considered to be one of the finest of its kind in the capital, combines an exceptional level of aesthetics with the use of high-class materials. The block is an example of exemplary construction from the communist era, which referred to Western trends in residential architecture.
The building, designed by Gieysztor and Kumelowski, is a two-part structure whose façade is characterised by strip balconies, divided by elements alternating between one and two storeys. This effect creates a dynamic rhythm and interesting chiaroscuro games on the façade. The parts of the building are connected by a characteristic canopy with circular openings, which gives the building a lightness.
Wiejska 20 in the 1960s, view from Prusa Street. The photograph (scan) comes from the album “Warsaw – the city and the people” published by “Arkady” in 1968.
From the side of Wiejska Street, the block floats on cantilevers under which the pavement runs. This displacement of the block beyond the line of the frontage makes the building dynamic and emphasises its novelty. The cantilevers sloping towards the central axis of the façade, the balconies and the ceramic cladding allude to the op-art style, creating a harmonious whole.
The block at Wiejska 20 is not only distinguished by its façade, but also by its interior. The ground floor of the building is intended for commercial premises, while spacious flats are located above. According to some sources, luxury flats with their own lifts, terraces and even private swimming pools have been designed on the top floor. Although there is no clear evidence of these amenities, the high quality materials and oversized square metres indicate that these units were intended for high-profile individuals.
There is an underground garage under the building, which was rare in those days. The facades were decorated with sandstone, and some parts of the building, especially on the side facing Bolesława Prusa Street, were covered with turquoise ceramic tiles, which add colour and lightness to the structure. The façade on the courtyard side, on the other hand, has been clad in grey brick, which creates an interesting contrast with the other architectural elements.
The ground floor of the building formerly housed the Polish Fashion House, a prestigious shop whose interior was decorated with ceramic artworks by Krzysztof Henisz. His composition, made of red and turquoise ceramics, has been preserved to this day. In addition to the ceramic installation, the building also contains the original winding staircase, part of its rich architectural heritage.
The block at 20 Wiejska Street is not only one of the most interesting examples of communist-era residential architecture, but also a building with a rich history. The building still delights both architecture experts and Warsaw residents. In 1976, it was entered in the register of monuments, which only confirms its great historical and artistic value. The block is a place that reminds us of the times when Polish architecture was able to compete with the best in the West and luxury flats were available only to a select few.
Source: architektura.muratorplus.pl, cargocollective.com
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Block | Monument | History | Modernism | Warsaw
