A new residential building with commercial units will soon be completed at Wolności Square in Wrocław. The project, which was created in 2015 by the Dziewoński, Łukaszewicz Architekci studio, has aroused mixed feelings from the outset, and criticism from residents is growing as the work progresses. Although the scaffolding has not yet been removed from the building, the final form of the new property can already be seen. The emerging building in the centre of Wrocław fits into the wider context of the problems of local architecture in recent years.
The investment is being carried out by HEA Investment, which took over the site from a previous investor after years of stagnation. The seven-storey building is to house 38 flats and two commercial premises on the ground floor. According to the investor’s announcements, the building will not be for sale, but most likely for short-term rental. The form of the building has raised doubts among residents from the beginning. Critics accuse the design of being out of harmony with the surroundings and of oversized dimensions that disrupt the existing spatial composition. Particularly painful for many residents is the contrast of the modern block with the historic church and the historic buildings in the area.
Photo: Wrocław – Building investments
A new building in the centre of Wrocław – architecture that stirs emotions
“I think the architect got the Old Town and Jagodno mixed up”, “For the first time I liked the overgrown hole in the ground better than the completed building” or “Well, we have another oversized block to add to the collection…. “ – these are just a few of the several hundred comments under a post that appeared on the profile of Wrocław – Building investments. The commenters mainly point out that the building neither holds the building line nor refers to the character of the place, and that the architects and investors should take more account of the historical and urban context of the place.
A problem bigger than one building
The discussion around the building at Wolności Square is part of the wider context of the problems of Wrocław architecture in recent years. Many of the new development projects within the Old Town and Downtown area are causing outrage and garnering negative feedback due to questionable aesthetics and lack of respect for the historic character of the city. Residents are increasingly raising the issue of the need for stricter guidelines for new development in valuable urban spaces.
Is there a chance for Wrocław’s architecture?
In the face of growing criticism, the city authorities should consider introducing stricter rules for harmonising new developments with existing buildings. Architectural competitions, public consultations and strict urban planning supervision could help to improve the quality of Wrocław’s urban space, already badly degraded during World War II and in the post-war years. The new building at Plac Wolności could become a symbol of a wider debate on the future of Wrocław’s architecture and the need to preserve the city’s identity in the face of dynamic development.
Source: Wrocław – Building investments, tuwroclaw.com
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