It is one of the best examples of modernist architecture in Poznan. The Veteran’s House is currently being renovated. Work on the façade of the building, which has received new railings, has been completed. All works are expected to be completed in 2025.
The Veteran’s House in Poznań was designed in the 1960s by Zygmunt Skupniewicz, Witold Milewski and Lech Sternal. Its construction began in 1969 and lasted three years. The building is distinguished by its modernist design and the attractive integration of the building into the plot. The house was built on a site close to the Warta River, and there are many old trees in the neighbourhood. It is an attractive place for walks and relaxation, which was intended to help veterans improve their health.
When designing the building, the architects prepared an overall design and even envisaged what furniture should appear inside. Even the tableware was consciously chosen and a logo was developed to represent the institution. Its interior was filled with art. Paintings and prints were donated by local artists.
Veteran’s House. Exemplary modernism
Inside, single and double rooms were created. The building itself was built in a terraced layout with a courtyard in the middle. This arrangement allows plenty of natural light to enter the rooms. The large terraces are an attractive place to spend time during warm days.
Art historian and politician Marcin Libicki described the Veteran’s House as “a true masterpiece of modern architecture”. Jarosław Trybuś and Aleksandra Robakowska, on the other hand, consider the building “one of the best buildings of its kind not only in Poznań, but also in Poland”. ” The Veteran’s House is […] an outstanding example of architecture inscribed in the natural landscape, in a manner worthy of Wright or Aalto.” [Aleksandra Robakowska, Jarosław Trybuś, From Castle to Brewery. On the architecture of Poznań of the last hundred years, published by Arsenal City Gallery, Poznań, 2005, p.65].
Today the building houses a nursing home for the elderly.
Reconstruction of the Veteran’s House
The contractor is currently concentrating on work in the main DPS building, upgrading internal installations including wiring, plumbing and drains, as well as refreshing the rooms. The scope of work includes replacing floors, door joinery, tiles on the walls or repainting them. For the benefit of the residents, the work has been divided into phases so that some of the rooms are accessible. So far, work has been done on the top floor and the middle section,” says Tomasz Płóciniczak, vice-president of the company Poznanskie Inwestycje Miejskie.
The works also included the courtyard, where the stairs and walls were replaced. The terrace area itself has been enlarged. Greenery planting will be carried out here in spring.
In the Veteran’s House, work was carried out to renovate and insulate the walls of the balconies. Cracks and damage to the reinforced concrete elements, which can be seen in the 2023 photos published at the end of the photo gallery, were repaired. Insulation of the external basement walls was also carried out. The house has received new gutters and terrace drainage. All works are expected to be completed in 2025.
source: Poznan City Investments
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This is how the building looked in 2023:
