Is it possible to design an office building that does not become empty after hours, but attracts people with its atmosphere? This was the question Natalia Janowska had in mind while working on her diploma project “Luboń Factory” – an office and cultural centre on Armii Poznańska Street in Luboń, on the site of the former Wielkopolski Przedsiębiorstwa Przemysłu Ziemniaczanego. The aim was to revitalise a section of the city with an industrial past and integrate it into the social fabric.
The Wielkopolskie Przedsiębiorstwo Przemysłu Ziemniaczanego has a history of more than a century. Its origins date back to 1904, when the first potato processing factory was established in Luboń, originally under German ownership. After the First World War, the plant came under the control of the Polish State Treasury and began its dynamic development, becoming one of the largest plants of its kind in Europe in the 1920s. The buildings that survived could once again become a vibrant part of the city.
The idea of an open space
In her project, Natalia Janowska consciously juxtaposes the functions of work, culture and recreation, building an urban space that is vibrant all day long. Former industrial buildings are transformed into a modern complex that does not cut itself off from history, but engages in a dialogue with it.
The ground floor houses a café and a library – spaces that invite people to meet, talk and relax. The entrance to the building leads through a spacious, bright interior with a welcoming finish. The first floor serves as a flexible coworking space, available for both teams and individual users. The second floor is dedicated to permanent tenant offices – including offices and open space, designed with ergonomics and modern comfort in mind.
Architecture set in context
The design does not dominate the surroundings. It uses materials rooted in local history: brick, rhythmic facades, austerity broken by light and greenery. The new architecture combines industrial character with the hospitality of the site.
This is how the building looks today:
“The Lubon Factory is not just a building – it is a concept for developing a larger area. The project is intended to activate the area, bringing it back into the urban bloodstream. Janowska proposes a responsible approach to the space – taking into account the needs of the inhabitants and the memory of the place. The planned café and library integrate the residents, coworking provides access to modern working conditions and the office spaces provide a sustainable economic function. The whole creates a coherent narrative of a place that serves people and builds connections.
“Is it possible to revitalise an industrial site and breathe a contemporary spirit into it without blurring its identity?” – wonders Janowska. Her answer: yes, if design becomes a conversation with history and the needs of people here and now.
University: Sopot Academy of Applied Sciences
Promoter: Dr. hab. inż. arch. Grzegorz Bukal
Type of work: Engineering thesis
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