The decision of the Mazovian Provincial Conservator of Monuments to enter the former Dom Książki Uniwersus Central Department Store in the register of monuments is not only a formal honour, but above all a social and cultural appreciation of the building, which for decades was an architectural phenomenon in Warsaw.
Located at 20/22 Belwederska Street, the building, designed under the direction of Leszek Sołonowicz, has intrigued with its bold form and consistent reference to the trend of post-war modernism since its opening in 1981. The building is particularly appreciated by fans of Brutalism, elements of which can be seen in its dynamic body. Today – thanks to conservation protection – the building can retain its original stylistic and constructional solutions.
From concept to completion
Brutalist architecture with Polish character
The “Uniwersus” building is distinguished by its monumental, austere form, a rare example of the Polish interpretation of Brutalism. Its main elements include massive, geometrically divided volumes, exposed concrete surfaces and a sparse colour palette, contrasted in the interiors with colourful mosaics and installations by Włodzimierz Karczmarzyk. The carefully thought-out structural layout developed by engineers Humięcki, Lupa and Laskowski ensured both artistic expression and commercial functionality. The aesthetics of the building, already awarded the “Cube of the Year” title in 1975 and the “Mister Warsaw” award in 1980, represent the mature stage of post-war modernism in Poland.
Although there are many modernist developments from the 1960s and 1970s in Warsaw, Uniwersus remains the only building of such expressive form and structural rigour with no direct analogues in the capital. It bridges the gap between the era of strict modernism and the later experiments of architects who sought new means of expression in urban spaces. In the context of a tertiary development, the building stood out for its peculiar monumentalism, combining a utilitarian function with an artistic message. It was this multidimensionality that made it an important testimony to Polish architecture of the second half of the 20th century.
Utility transformations and adaptations
After its transformation in the 1990s, when the House of Books disappeared from the map of the state enterprise, the building fell into private hands and its interiors were adapted to the various needs of the new tenants. Numerous modernisations and adaptations of the space, although often far from the original spirit of the design, have left the original concrete elements and geometric divisions in place for the most part.
The inclusion of Uniwersus in the Register of Historic Buildings ensures that it is protected not only from demolition or inappropriate redevelopment, but also offers the opportunity to benefit from conservation funding. The historic guidelines in force from now on will allow for a detailed inventory of the state of preservation of the original materials and forms. The restoration plans will focus on restoring the original colours of the concrete, reconstructing the interior details and protecting the characteristic art installations. In this way, the building is expected to return to its splendour, preserving the purity of the modernist idea and Brutalist aesthetic.
Universus as a symbol
The building on Belwederska Street remains a testimony to the determination of the Polish creators who, under difficult social and political conditions, conceived and realised one of the most daring commercial projects in the country. Today, as a historical monument, the building has acquired a new status – a protected cultural and architectural heritage. Its history, from initial sketches in 1972 to contemporary adaptations, reflects the changing face of Warsaw and the evolution of architectural thought. The protection of the Uniwersus draws attention to other modernist buildings that should receive similar legal protection. After all, many of them have already disappeared from the Polish landscape, examples being the Brutalist railway station in Katowice or the Supersam in Warsaw.
You can read more about the history of the building in the article HERE. We also publish archive photos of the construction there.
source: Mazovian Voivodeship Historic Preservation Officer
photos: WUOZ in Warsaw
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