The City of Warsaw has announced an architectural competition for a concept to modernise the south-east corner of Swietokrzyski Park. This initiative is part of the wider New Centre of Warsaw project, which aims to revitalise key areas of the city. The competition is organised by Zarząd Pałac Kultury i Nauki Sp. z o.o. and the works aim to create a modern, functional and friendly public space in the very centre of the capital.
The aim of the competition is to develop the best design for the corner area of Świętokrzyski Park, directly adjacent to Świętokrzyska and Marszałkowska Streets. The contracting authority expects a concept that is coherent with the surroundings and takes into account aesthetic, utilitarian and pro-ecological values. The competition envisages dividing the area into two parts: the implementation area, which includes, among others, a section of the park and the Terrace of Urban Sports, and the study area, which includes private plots to be harmoniously integrated into the overall design. The area, neglected for years, is to be greened. Trees, shrubs and flowers will be added. The aim of the competition is also to complement the park setting and to maintain the sporting and recreational character of this space. The authors of the competition entries should apply solutions corresponding to contemporary trends in the design of public areas and respond to long-term challenges affecting the environment and the citizens of Warsaw.
The competition area as seen from Marszałkowska Street. Photo: Warsaw City Hall
The space of the corner of Świętokrzyski Park should continue the main historical assumption for this area: exposing the dominant body of the Palace of Culture and Science and maintaining the V-shaped arrangement for the two symmetrical entrance alleys from the direction of Marszałkowska and Świętokrzyska Streets. The new urban context related to the realisation of the MSN building makes it necessary to re-shape the area in a way that is coherent in terms of composition with the area of Świętokrzyski Park, emphasising the connection with the new cultural facilities as well as with the Palace of Culture and Science. In doing so, the challenge is to meet the contemporary needs of the citizens of Warsaw, and in particular to create a recognisable space, unique in comparison to other places in Warsaw and corresponding to the aspirations associated with its central location. Competition entries must be submitted by 17 October 2024 via the public procurement platform. The competition is single-stage and implementation-based, meaning that the best entry will be the basis for the project.
Competition entries will be judged on the quality and attractiveness of the proposed public space, the feasibility of implementation and the economy of solutions. Aspects related to accessibility, safety, and adaptation of the space to climate change will also be important. The winner of the competition will receive a cash prize of PLN 35,000 and an invitation to negotiate a design contract. There will also be prizes for subsequent winners of PLN 20,000, PLN 10,000 and a commendation of PLN 5,000 respectively. The competition will be supervised by the Competition Jury, chaired by Monika Wróbel, architect and member of the Municipal Urban Planning and Architectural Commission of the City of Warsaw. It also includes experts in the field of landscape architecture and representatives of the Board of the Palace of Culture and Science.
The results of the competition will be of key importance for the further development and management of the space around the Palace of Culture and Science, and the winning project will become a showpiece of the New Centre of Warsaw.
Source: pkin.pl, architektura.um.warszawa.pl
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