Solna 6 is a new residential development that has been completed in Poznań. The multi-family buildings were designed by architects from the JEMS studio. The houses were built in a historical location, on St. Adalbert’s Hill, in the vicinity of a baroque monastery and old trees.
The development was carried out on the outskirts of the Old Town. St Adalbert’s Hill is an area with a deep symbolic and historical layer – for several centuries it belonged to the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites. Two buildings have been erected on the plot, arranged around semi-open courtyards. Instead of the rigour of an orthogonal, rigid geometry of volumes ending in gables, the architects opted for a more organic form, with undulating walls winding between the trees.
The facades become a screen on whose soft texture we observe the changing projection of shadows cast by the treetops. One of the courtyards opens onto an avenue of trees leading towards the city, while the other faces the escarpment topped by the block of the monastery. Both of these landscape relationships were important in the design of the complex, explains Maciej Miłobędzki, partner and architect at JEMS.
The curved shapes of the facades gain additional expression from the repetitive, deeply set window recesses and the continuous concrete sills surrounding each building. The external walls are devoid of a layer used only for insulation. This is a solution rarely found in modern housing construction. The wall consists of two layers of concrete of different densities and is covered with a thick, light-coloured render in a warm, muted shade. During the day, the walls store heat, which they then give off at night; the gradual heating and cooling of these surfaces creates an optimum microclimate both inside the buildings and in the nearby gardens, thanks to the high thermal inertia of the structure. In addition, the high internal spaces enhance this effect, guaranteeing constant thermal comfort and reducing the need for mechanical systems.
We wanted the effect of masonry – heavy, massive but at the same time not overly ‘polished’. We did not strive for perfection, quite the opposite – what was important was the slight irregularity of the texture, its coarsegrain, fitting in well with the natural neighbourhood and the historical context,” notes Dominik Wroński, architect of JEMS, co-responsible for the project.
The interiors of Solna 6 are a coherent extension of the overall architectural concept, where the geometric patterns of the facades and masses intermingle with the thoughtful layout of space and details. In the flats, the light, which gives the whole an unmistakable character, gains a new dimension through subtle reflections from the bright walls and intricately incorporated window glyphs. Instead of a stark contrast, a soft, diffused brightness dominates, harmoniously interacting with the soft forms of the facade.
In the landscaping design, the JEMS architects avoided excessive rigour and regularity. The greenery here has not been designed ‘from the ruler’, but rather treated as a continuation of the existing character – spontaneous, almost wild.
We wanted to preserve the atmosphere that prevailed here before construction began – a monastery garden, a semi-wild, mysterious corner of the city, ” adds Miłobędzki.
The surfaces of the paths are made of stone, often with so-called green, plant-covered joints.
From the very beginning, the project assumed limiting the intensity of development, although the planning parameters would allow for more, the investor and the architects deliberately resigned from maximising the use of the plot. Priority was given to greenery and the relationship with the environment – natural and historical. Solna 6 is an example of today’s rare residential architecture that does not try to dominate its surroundings. The JEMS project is a proposal to build in a careful way – with respect for the landscape, the history of the place and its natural rhythm,” reads the information about Solna 6 provided by the architects.
project: JEMS
photos: Marysia Kot / JEMS
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