Wrocław is a city where historical architecture meets contemporary solutions. On the one hand, we can admire nineteenth-century tenement houses there, with their rich ornamentation, stucco details and original layout of staircases or courtyards; and on the other hand , contemporary housing developments, which often reinterpret historical patterns, responding to the needs of today’s residents. These are so-called urban villas, intimate residences that offer an alternative to large housing estates.
A short walk through the centre of Wrocław is enough to discover the wealth of buildings there. You will be impressed by historical buildings, eclectic tenements combining classicism, renaissance references or baroque ornaments. Art Nouveau, on the other hand, focuses on organicity, asymmetry and decorativeness, expressed in rich floral motifs, anthropomorphic figures and finely crafted stuccowork. Builders of the time took care to create original entrances to buildings, sculptural staircases or the construction of picturesque courtyards. However, many valuable edifices suffered from the dramatic events of the Second World War. In the communist era, not all could count on meticulous revitalisation. Many had to wait until modern times for a new life.
A good example of Art Nouveau architecture is the tenement house at 25 Piastowska St. The building was erected in 1903 and renovated a few years ago, so today we can admire it in all its splendour. The façade of the building is characterised by a symmetrical layout and Art Nouveau elements, such as stucco panels with motifs taken from the natural world. The floral ornamentation gives the building lightness and finesse. The figure of an angelic woman on top of the attic attracts a lot of attention. She holds in her hands symbols that may indicate the care of the building craft – a hammer and a coat of arms.
The tenement house at 25 Piastowska Street in Wrocław:
Kamienica w kolorach nieba. Wrocławski zabytek przeszedł remont
The tenement house at 5 Prusa St. has a completely different character. The building has been waiting for renovation for decades, but it was worth the wait! The tenement house was built in 1902 to a design by Wilhelm Heller. The building is distinguished by a sophisticated façade layout based on a soft arch plan. Instead of the classic corner with a central bay window, the building has three two-storey bays, adjoined by balconies with wrought-iron balustrades.
The key decorative element is the numerous stuccowork at the entrance portals. Emerging floral motifs, distinguish this building from its neighbours. An innovative idea implemented in the building at 5 Prusa Street was the arrangement of staircases at the outer ends of the building. Such a solution resulted in a parabolic arrangement of the interior – the flats, especially those located at the front of the façade, are characterised by a trapezoidal layout, which gives them an original character. This composition not only enhances the aesthetics of the façade, but also has a beneficial effect on the internal organisation of the space.
During the communist period, no one even thought of building such impressive tenements. Massive solutions prevailed at the time, with huge prefabricated housing estates being erected. It was not until the late 1980s and 1990s that the idea of creating more intimate living spaces that would combine functionality, comfort and respect for tradition began to take shape.
How has the construction industry changed? In the last two decades, architects have become increasingly bold in referring to the aesthetics of former residences that meet contemporary standards. The idea of urban villas, intimate buildings that fit harmoniously into the cityscape, was born. The new trend responds to the need for sustainable living – their residents were looking for spaces that offered a sense of privacy and high quality, while tying in with the local architectural heritage. An example of such contemporary developments is ‘Przy Park’ – an estate with a swimming pool, spa and fitness area, inspired by the architectural tradition of Wrocław tenement houses, the organisation of green courtyards and the palaces of Lower Silesia. In the new designs, references to the past can be seen, among other things, in the traditional materials used (clinker), decorative cornices or roof tiles. However, such buildings are distinguished by contemporary technology – energy-efficient and intelligent solutions.
Urban villas are not just modern buildings, but a kind of evolutionary stage of residential architecture where tradition meets the future. Such buildings use solutions that were valued by the inhabitants of stately mansions and palaces, but appear in a reinterpreted form. The impressive palace in Szczodr or the Korns’ palace, impress with intricate details that today are a reference point for contemporary designers. The materials and spatial layouts used in historic buildings are back in a new edition, responding to the needs of residents seeking intimacy and prestige.
The evolution of residential buildings in Wrocław shows that the past never disappears, but changes and is reinterpreted by successive generations. Historic tenements, or new buildings like the “Przy Park” development, create a certain continuity that contributes to the development of the city while preserving the local identity. In this way, architecture becomes a testimony not only to changing social needs, but also a form of dialogue between tradition and modernity.
I wonder where the aristocracy and wealthy families of centuries ago would look for a place to live today?
Find out more about the ‘By the Park’ development on the official website: https://przyparku.com.pl
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