Not long ago it was threatened with demolition, but today it is one of the most interesting examples of revitalisation in the Tricity. Hall 31B, built at the end of the 19th century as part of the Gdańsk Shipyard, has undergone an extraordinary metamorphosis – from an industrial drying room and factory canteen into a vibrant ecosystem of culture and art. Under the guidance of Roark Studio, the building’s exterior was restored to its former glory, while the new character of the interior was taken care of by Filip Kozarski (1st Preference Analogue). The place has been reopened to residents and people from the creative industries in 2025.
The history of the place is multi-layered. Within the walls of the hall, there was the Świetlik cooperative, where the current prime minister worked, as well as a boxing hall where the incumbent president trained. Over the decades, the building has witnessed social and economic change, becoming part of the legacy of the shipyard – the birthplace of Solidarity. Today, instead of falling into disrepair, it has become a space that combines architecture, art and sustainability.
The first floor is home to the Grid Arthub, a creative hub bringing together architects, graphic designers, visual artists and urban researchers. It is not only studios, but also a shared workshop space, a meeting place and even the studio of community radio station Ingrid. The ground floor, on the other hand, attracts residents and tourists thanks to Dust Kitchen – a zero waste vegetarian restaurant, Plot Social Club and the headquarters of the Gdansk Tourist Organisation. Revenues from catering and service activities support Grid, enabling artists to benefit from preferential rental rates and providing an open cultural programme for the local community.
The interior of the hall, designed by Filip Kozarski of Ipreferanalog, is a manifesto of a creative approach to design work, recycling and reusing materials. The most distinctive element is the wooden floor obtained from the Olympic Preparation Centre in Cetniewo. Its uneven surface, with preserved pitch lines, tells the history of the place and gives the space a unique character. Kozarski stresses that the recovery process was painstaking – each stave had to be cleaned and reassembled by hand – but the result was worth the effort.
Other recycled elements complete the look: glazing from former skylights, stoneware tiles and stone fragments, as well as countertops and handles made from recycled plastic, including soda crates. Where recycling was not possible, D.I.Y. solutions were resorted to. and open source designs, such as the Enzo Mari chair. New furniture – a red table or a yellow bookcase – was created from shuttering boards and steel pipes, designed to be easily disassembled and reused.
Grid Arthub is not only about architecture, but above all about community. Thanks to ten-year leases, artists have gained stable working conditions in a neighbourhood undergoing intense gentrification. Residents include . Mariusz Waras, a well-known street artist operating under the pseudonym m-city, and PB/Studio – nominated together with Ipreferanalogue and Studiomania for the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Prize.
source: Grid Arthub
photos: PION Studio
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