Willa doktora Książka is a modernist property located at 16 Chopina Street in Tarnów. The building is a unique and exceptional example of post-war modernism. With an area of 415 sq m, the building is distinguished by its innovative aesthetics, unique interiors and geometric shape. The villa, which is also a residence and a doctor’s surgery with an X-ray laboratory, was designed by Wojciech Pietrzyk, a Krakow-based architect.
The history of Stanisław Książek’s house began in 1965, when he purchased a plot of land to build the property, located at 16 Chopina Street in Tarnów. Already a year later, work on the project began. The architect responsible for its realisation was Wojciech Pietrzyk, whom Ksiazek met through his sister. Pietrzyk had previously modernised her house, which won Książek’s appreciation, and he additionally became acquainted with the architect’s other projects in Kraków, including the Ark of the Lord church in Nowa Huta, which we wrote about HERE. The collaboration began with Pietrzyk’s visit to the plot, where visions of the future house were discussed together.
Photo: Christophoros43, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
From the start, Książek had clear requirements – the house was to be not only a living space, but also a workplace, combining the functions of a house and an X-ray studio. The initial design called for the studio to be located in the space between the structural columns, but the city architect did not agree, considering that this would disrupt the aesthetics of the street. As a result, the design had to be adapted to meet the new requirements.
The design work took a relatively short period of time, but approval of the plans at the Department of Architecture dragged on for more than a year. The officials’ concerns included the stability of the structure. Working with Pietrzyk was demanding, as the architect insisted on strict adherence to his visions and plans. All elements, from the structure to the furniture, were created to order, which did not allow for any changes during construction.
Construction of the house began in 1967 and continued until 1977, when the official acceptance of the building by the city architect took place. The interior took more than three years to complete, as every detail, including the furniture, was designed by Pietrzyk. Despite the difficult political and economic realities, it was possible to obtain high-quality materials such as larch, sycamore, pear and limber, which was made possible by working with an experienced carpenter from Kalwaria.
The two-storey body of the villa in Tarnów, topped by a flat roof, was significantly raised and supported by tall columns. The facades of the building are decorated not only with a variety of windows arranged in a rhythmic pattern, but also with two impressive abstract mosaics created in the well-known workshop of Helena and Roman Husarski. The soffit of the arcade is finished with boards, and the surroundings of the house are enriched by a carefully designed low fence with retained original brackets.
The building is still preserved in its original form today. In the space of 6 rooms, a basement and a garage connected to the garden, a living space of unique character was designed. Dr. Książek’s villa stands out not only for the quality of its workmanship, but also for the care taken in the choice of decoration. Geometric and ornamental details, such as leaf motifs or spiral patterns on the floors, were the architect’s sole idea. The X-ray room was designed in accordance with current regulations, including barite walls and lead-lined doors.
Despite Pietrzyk’s restrictive approach, Książek was very pleased with the result. The doctor emphasised that, although there is always room for improvement, he himself would not change anything in his house. For him, the most important thing was that the building met his expectations, regardless of the opinions of others.
Dr Stanisław Książek died in March this year at the age of 92. Until recently, he remained professionally active and cared for his home with care. His final resting place is the Old Cemetery in Tarnow. The estate of the late radiologist has been put up for sale for PLN 5.5 million, which is below its market value of PLN 7 million. The family selling the house emphasises that they are keen on a buyer who will respect the unique character of this architectural masterpiece.
Source: “Tarnów. 1000 years of modernity”, Ewa Łączyńska-Widz, Dawid Radziszewski, collective work. Publisher: 40000 Painters Association, 2010, tarnow.net.pl
Photos: Jan Smaga
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