What might a Local Sports and Leisure Centre on a reservoir in Kielce look like? Wiktoria Baćkowska, a student at the Faculty of Construction and Architecture at Kielce University of Technology, has prepared her proposal for this site. The project is her diploma thesis, which she defended with honours. Substantive support during work on the project was provided by Dr. Eng. arch. Włodzimierz Tracz.
The Kielce Lagoon, created between 1948 and 1953, was for decades one of the most important places for recreation and integration of the inhabitants of the nearby housing estates. It was here that meetings, sports competitions and family walks took place. Over time, however, the infrastructure deteriorated, the sports facilities closed down and the area – once vibrant with life – became neglected and inaccessible. The graduation project ‘Local Sports and Leisure Centre at the Lagoon in Kielce’ attempts to restore this place to its former glory, while at the same time giving it new functions to meet the contemporary needs of the people of Kielce.
The concept is based on the principles of universal and pro-ecological design, in line with the 6Es: economy, energy efficiency, ecology, flexibility, aesthetics and ergonomics. It aims to create an open, attractive and accessible space that encourages physical activity, recreation, education and social integration. Here, architecture is to play a servant role to the residents and the landscape, becoming not a dominant but a harmonious element of the surroundings.
The project involves the revitalisation of the existing infrastructure, including piers, slips and a boathouse, which will regain their former functionality. The focal point of the site will be the new local centre building. It will include sports, educational and social spaces, as well as a café overlooking the lagoon. The roof of the building will be transformed into a terrace and grandstand, creating a meeting and observation area. This will be complemented by a two-storey recreational path – one routed near the ground, the other suspended among the trees – which is also accessible to people with disabilities.
The project designer based his assumptions on detailed urban, landscape and historical analyses, as well as on an interview with a sailing instructor who has been using the lagoon for many years. The research showed that the area has great potential, but that it does not currently meet the expectations of local residents. There is a lack of modern sports facilities, inclusive spaces and recreational facilities that could become a natural extension of the city’s social life.
New architecture has been conceived to complement the landscape. The centre building, following the form of the existing hangar, will become the heart of the whole site and a landmark, but will not overwhelm its surroundings. Wooden footbridges, nature observation areas and open meeting spaces are intended to emphasise the proximity to nature. The ecological solutions used – ground source heat pump, rainwater retention, natural materials – make the project environmentally friendly and part of the sustainable development trend.
The Local Sports and Recreation Centre at the Kielce Lagoon is a proposal to create a coherent, open and functional space that responds to the need for activity, rest and community. It is architecture that not only restores the significance of the place, but also gives it a new identity – as a space for meetings, education and recreation, where the people of Kielce can find their social heart again.
design: Wiktoria Baćkowska
Read also: Places, Squares, Parks | Kielce | Curiosities | Portfolio | whiteMAD on Instagram
