A new residential complex, Lofty u Leonarda, will be built in Łódź. The investment will be another example of the revitalisation of degraded, post-industrial buildings. The project by Marciniak & Witasiak Architekci involves the adaptation of three historic buildings that once belonged to the Arelan factory and the construction of a new building marked ‘A’. The lofts at Leonard’s are to bring life back to the area around Independence Square, and the original and striking architecture will emphasise Łódź’s strong links with industry.
History of the Arlean factory in Łódź
Arelan was originally established as the Leonhardt, Woelker and Girbardt Textile Factory and was one of many Lodz factories operating from the late 19th century. The brick buildings erected during this period reflected the city’s characteristic model of development based on the textile industry. In the following decades, the factory underwent numerous transformations and profile changes, some of the factory’s buildings fell into neglect, while others are now home to the University of Information Technology. The preserved buildings, which are well over a hundred years old, are a very valuable element of the local heritage, a peculiar souvenir of the heyday of Lodz’s industry and urban planning.
The lofts at Leonard’s – inspiration and conceptual framework
In their concept, designers Dariusz Witasiak and Paweł Marciniak referred to the textile history of the site, preserving the most characteristic elements of the old architecture, such as brick facades or rhythmic window divisions. Their ambitious project envisages the creation of a residential complex with a loft-like atmosphere, where the rather austere form of the historical buildings is complemented by contemporary accents. The adapted buildings are to regain their original architectural expression, while the new building ‘A’ will introduce a touch of freshness, enriching the entire composition and completing the spatial layout of the former factory complex from 1878.
Project designed by Marciniak & Witasiak Architekci studio
The urban layout of the new development has been developed with great respect for the existing buildings. The new and renovated buildings will form a clear whole, skilfully blending in with the character of Łódź streets of industrial origin. The project uses materials that clearly emphasise the connection of the area with the history of the city, such as brick, steel and glass. The authors of the concept for the Lofts at Leonard’s assume that, in this way, the 19th-century Leonhardt, Woelker and Girbardt Textile Factory will become an exemplary example of a successful dialogue between the past and the contemporary, thriving city.
Lofty at Leonard’s – details
The development plan includes spaces for recreation, internal courtyards and arcades to foster the integration of residents. The layouts of the flats have been designed in a flexible manner, enabling various interior arrangements and adaptation to the individual needs of the tenants, including, for example, the construction of a mezzanine floor. The design by Marciniak & Witasiak Architekci also takes into account solutions that increase the comfort of use, such as good natural lighting, soundproofing of the rooms and appropriate thermal parameters to ensure a high quality of life in the new complex.
Ecological solutions in the new investment
The investment plan calls for the use of a number of environmentally friendly solutions, including rainwater retention on terraces and roofs and the appearance of greenery in pots and internal gardens. Such measures are intended to support the local microclimate, reduce water run-off into the sewer system and improve the thermal insulation of the buildings. The project in the former Arelan factory buildings thus fits in with contemporary regeneration trends in which environmental protection is an integral part of planning.
A contemporary approach to heritage
The authors of the Lofty u Leonarda project, Dariusz Witasiak and Paweł Marciniak, emphasise that their intention was to create a place that preserves the authenticity of the former factory and at the same time responds to the needs of today’s residents. The visualisations do not include the planned greenery in order to best show the details of the buildings. The project supports the renewal process of Łódź’s post-industrial areas, where former factories are given a second chance as residential, cultural and social spaces.
Project: Marciniak & Witasiak Architekci
Source: investor materials, lodz.pl
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View of the Arelan now and in the future. Photo: Google Earth and mat. inv.
The buildings of the former factory today and after redevelopment. Photo inv. matt.
