Will the Zatrasie housing estate, erected in the 1960s in Warsaw’s Żoliborz district, be officially recognised as a monument? This question will soon find an answer, as the proceedings in this case are coming to an end. The decision is crucial for the future of the estate and the protection of post-war modernist housing in Poland.
History of the Zatrasie housing estate
The Zatrasie housing estate is one of the most outstanding examples of post-war modernism in Polish residential architecture. It was designed by a team led by Jacek Nowicki with the cooperation of Wacław Materski, Jerzy Osuchowski, Tadeusz Fiećka and landscape architect Wanda Staniewicz. Andrzej Wadowski was responsible for the structural design, together with Seweryn Hauler and Aleksander Koch. Construction of the housing estate lasted from 1962 to 1968 and was one of the flagship projects of the Gomułka Thaw era, which rejected the doctrine of socialist realism. The housing estate was built on the site of the 1920s Kościuszko Colony, which had burned down during the Warsaw Uprising. The new development referred to the idea of ‘neighbourhood units’, i.e. housing complexes organised around courtyards, and the space of the estate was separated from vehicular traffic. A characteristic element of Zatrasia is the large green spaces between the buildings, where some of the surviving trees from the former colony have been preserved.
Photo: Emptywords, Wikimedia Commons
Architecture and urban design of the estate
Zatrasie has been divided into eight colonies, with playgrounds and recreational spaces designed in the centre of each. The estate consists of blocks of varying heights – from three to ten storeys – and modular buildings with a cross-shaped plan. The project places great emphasis on architectural details such as the external openwork staircases for escape during a fire, the various forms of balcony balustrades and the carefully integrated retaining walls. Another important urban design element is the Jan Brzechwa Primary School No. 92, which was built as a monument to the Millennium of the Polish State.
Zatrasie – awards and cultural significance
Zatrasie was already widely recognised at the time of its creation. In 1961 its design received the 2nd Prize of the Committee for Construction, Urban Planning and Architecture, and in 1966 the building at 14 Przasnyska Street was awarded the title of “Vice-Mister of Warsaw”. In 1969, metalwork sculptures by Tadeusz Zarzycki were placed on the estate, probably inspired by the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, which unfortunately disappeared at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s.
Register entry – an opportunity or a challenge?
Entering a housing estate in the register of historic buildings means placing it under special legal protection, which brings with it both advantages and certain limitations. First and foremost, any renovation, reconstruction or demolition work requires the consent of the provincial conservation officer. This means that the historic urban layout, façade or even the use of traditional building materials must be preserved. On the one hand, property owners have to reckon with restrictions on modernisation, but on the other hand, they can benefit from numerous financial advantages, such as subsidies, tax breaks or easier access to funds for renovation.
Landmark status often adds to the prestige of an estate, attracting architecture lovers and increasing the value of the property. It can also influence neighbourhood planning, forcing new developments to fit in with the historic character of the site. However, owners are obliged to take care of the technical condition of the buildings, and they face severe penalties for illegal works. Entry in the register of historical monuments is therefore not only a protection of historical heritage, but also a challenge for residents and investors, who have to find a balance between preserving tradition and the needs of contemporary use of space.
Although the decision to include Zatrasie in the register of historical monuments is not yet official, it is already a milestone in efforts to protect this type of post-war development. Zatrasie remains an important example of modernist architectural and urban planning thought, deserving special attention and protection.
Source: Mazovian Voivodeship Historic Preservation Officer
Photos: WUOZ in Warsaw
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Curiosities | History | Modernism | Warsaw
