A new residential building with commercial premises has recently been completed on Wolności Square in Wrocław. From the very beginning, the investment at 6 Modrzejewska Street has aroused emotions and discussions about how to shape the space in the historic city centre. In recent days, the issue has taken on a new dimension after the association Architektoniczna Rewolta Wrocław filed a notice with the Lower Silesian Regional Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland about a suspected breach of the Architects’ Code of Professional Ethics.
Allegations against the project on Plac Wolności in Wrocław
According to the authors of the notification, the new building at 6 Helena Modrzejewska Street does not respect the principles of spatial order and respect for cultural heritage. According to the initiators of the intervention, the form of the building disturbs the historical character of Plac Wolności and does not harmonise with the historic buildings of the surrounding streets. They point out that architecture in the city centre should strengthen its identity, not deform it. The notice cites the principles of the Architects’ Code of Professional Ethics, according to which architectural work should serve the public and take care to preserve cultural values. The authors of the application also drew attention to the fact that the building was erected in an area under strict conservation protection, within the boundaries of the historic centre of Wrocław entered in the register of monuments. In their view, the new development does not meet the requirements of the resolution on the Old Town Cultural Park, which was intended to protect the cultural landscape of the oldest and most valuable part of Wrocław.
History of the investment at 6 Modrzejewska Street
The original development concept was created in 2013 by the Dziewoński, Łukaszewicz Architekci studio. The project was commissioned by SPACE4U Development, which acquired the plot from the Wrocław Municipality with the intention of realising the investment. After obtaining a building permit, however, the project was put on hold as a result of disputes between investors planning to develop neighbouring plots. After several years of stagnation, the site and the project were sold to HEA Investment. The new owner then announced changes to the façade and finishing materials. Due to aesthetic discrepancies, the authors of the original concept refused to authorise the modified design. Eventually, the changes were approved by another architect, whose name was not disclosed by the investor, explaining that he did not have permission for publication.
Character and function of the new building at 6 Modrzejewska Street
The seven-storey building houses 38 flats and two commercial units on the ground floor. According to HEA Investment, the building is intended for short-term rental. Among the changes introduced in relation to the original design are the abandonment of divisions in the window woodwork and the change of the façade colour from grey clinker to a pattern inspired by piano keys. According to the investor, this solution is intended to refer to the neighbourhood of the National Forum of Music and the Wrocław Opera House and symbolise the relationship between art and modern architecture in a dynamically developing city.
Architectural Revolution Wrocław intervention and postulates
Architektoniczna Rewolta Wrocław argues that the resulting building not only disturbs the spatial composition of this part of the city, but also lowers the landscape value of the area under protection. In their view, the project violates the principle of respect for existing values and the effects of the architects’ work do not serve the public interest. In their notice to the Chamber of Architects, the applicants demand that the authorship of the façade design be established and that the persons responsible for the development of the changes be considered for exclusion from the Chamber. As they point out, they are acting as private citizens, supported by the organisation Reconstruction and Rebuilding, whose involvement is intended to give the case more institutional weight.
Source: Architektoniczna Rewolta Wrocław
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