Two wooden Finnish cabins have reappeared on Leszowa Street in Warsaw’s Pole Mokotowskie district. The Warsaw Parks Authority has completed the main assembly work, but the final finishing touches will continue until the end of April. Alongside the reconstruction of these historic buildings, care has also been taken with the immediate surroundings, where gravel paths and cycling infrastructure have been created, and new trees have been planted.
Finnish cottages in Warsaw
The history of these small buildings dates back to the early years after the Second World War, when Warsaw was rising from the ruins. The Capital Reconstruction Office needed housing available quickly for its staff and those involved in rebuilding the city. It was for them that estates comprising almost 100 wooden houses were built, located, amongst other places, in Jazdów and on Pole Mokotowskie. Over time, these small buildings ceased to fulfil their purpose and gradually disappeared from the Warsaw landscape. Over 20 of them have survived in Jazdów, whilst on Leszowa Street there are just two.
Two Finnish houses from Pole Mokotowskie
The remains of these last two buildings from Pole Mokotowskie had been left without proper care for many years, which is why their structures were unsuitable for reuse. Consequently, it was decided to completely reconstruct them using new materials, following the historical design. The two Finnish cottages on Leszowa Street were built using a modular prefabrication system. Their individual components were prepared in workshops, then transported and assembled on site. This approach echoes the original method of erecting these structures, when lightweight wooden modules allowed for rapid assembly even with a small team of workers.
A Finnish tradition that continues to this day
The technology used in Warsaw after the war originated in Finland and is still in use there today. During preparations for the recent reconstruction, contact was made with a company that had supplied similar houses to the Vistula River region several decades ago. Modern buildings using this technology are being constructed across Europe and include not only residential properties but also schools and public facilities. The work at Pole Mokotowskie utilised natural materials and energy-saving systems, which translates into lower maintenance and operating costs.
A new space in Pole Mokotowskie Park
Part of the overall project also involved tidying up the neglected area around the huts. Lawns, shrubs and trees have been planted nearby, creating an intimate space conducive to relaxation. Until now, this part of Pole Mokotowskie was rather unwelcoming and made a rather negative impression, but it has now been given a tidier and more pleasing appearance. The renovation of the huts and their surroundings is part of the modernisation work being carried out in various areas of the park, which is gradually changing its appearance and giving the place new functions.
The legacy of Ryszard Kapuściński
The Finnish cottages on Leszowa Street are also linked to the figure of Ryszard Kapuściński, who lived in one of them in his youth and wrote his first works there. The memory of the writer has been preserved in the park through the creation of an educational trail featuring quotations from his works. Once all the work is complete, the restored buildings are to be used as a space for literature. A community garden and a small open-air stage will also be created in the vicinity, which will bring this part of the park to life and introduce a touch of culture to it.
Source: Warsaw Greenery Authority
See also:Architecture in Poland|Warsaw|Housing Estate|Urban Planning|History|Interesting Facts|Wood
A view of the Finnish-style housing estate in Pole Mokotowskie in the 1960s and today. Source: “Discover Warsaw. Mokotów”, National Magazine Publishing House RSW “Prasa”, Warsaw 1969 and Google Earth
