The Śródmieście district authorities have signed an agreement for the construction of Twarda Twarda – the new headquarters of the Śródmieście Cultural Centre and the Youth Cultural Centre at 8/12 Twarda Street in Warsaw. This is one of the largest cultural investments of recent years in this part of the capital. The project, developed by the Kalata Architekci studio in cooperation with Anna Jach Studio, involves the construction of a multifunctional building with a usable area of nearly 9,500 square metres. Twarda will become a place of integration for all residents, regardless of age.
The tender selected the Baudziedzic company from Głogów Małopolski, which will carry out the investment for more than PLN 111 million. The contract provides for 32 months to complete the construction work. The new facility will contain more than 40 rooms, including an auditorium with more than 350 seats, exhibition spaces, rehearsal rooms and art studios. The facility is intended to serve both children and young people, as well as adult residents of Warsaw. The building will be constructed in the quarter between Twarda Street, Grzybowska Street and Jana Pawła II Avenue. In the immediate vicinity are the Nożyk Synagogue and the blocks of flats of the “Za Żelazną Bramą” estate. The area has undergone many transformations over the last century, from the complete destruction of frontage development during the war, through the modernist designs of the 1960s, to the dynamic densification of space in recent decades.
The design of Twarda Twarda does not directly refer to the pre-war urban grid. The architects have opted for a contemporary form adapted to the diverse surroundings. It assumes the supplementation of existing buildings, while at the same time tidying up the space of the square in front of the synagogue and creating a walkway that will integrate the new building into its surroundings. The investment is also of considerable organisational significance. As Downtown Mayor Aleksander Ferens emphasises, the new community centre will make it possible to dispense with renting commercial premises for artistic and educational events. Until now, such activities have been held at various points in the district, which generated additional costs.
Construction is due to begin once the tendering procedure and updated design documentation have been completed. The entire project will be financed from the city budget, which was increased by a decision of the Warsaw Council. The cost of the entire project will be PLN 136 million.
Source: Warsaw Downtown District, Kalata Architekci / Eliza Kalata, Szymon Kalata, Anna Jach / https://kalata.waw.pl/
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The plot on Twarda Street now and in the future. Photo: Google Earth and Kalata Architekci
