EDUCATION PAVILION
ARCHITECTURE: em4 ARCHITECTURE PRACOWNIA BRATANIEC
2020 WARSAW

 

The unique expression of the architecture of the Stone Pavilion is based on the author's interpretation of the form of an erratic boulder as a symbol of the continuity of the processes of transformation of the earth's surface, as well as the identity of the Mazovian and Vistula landscapes.

 

The pavilion, closed off from the city and offering a view of the river landscape, harmoniously blends in with the surroundings and at the same time becomes a significant spatial dominant of the place. The close relationship between the architectural vision and the natural landscape is also emphasised by the location of the building, the flow of the path connecting the promenade with the riverside walk, and the arrangement of the meadow inspired by the shapes of the Vistula's current, shoreline banks and alluvial islands with a typical zonal arrangement of vegetation showing the areas of periodic flooding by the river's surges.

 

The lighting design for this highly suggestive and restrained architecture required exceptional care and creativity. Inside the "stone", there was no room for typical luminaires that would break the integrity of the building's form and space. At the same time, there was a lack of dedicated solutions on the market for fitting into rough concrete. Therefore, a luminaire was created especially for this project and a method of mounting it in the concrete shell was developed. All the light sources used have been integrated into the architectural elements, so that they remain almost unnoticeable during the day, and after the change of light source, the luminaire is integrated into the concrete shell.

 

The luminaire was specially developed and put into production in such a way as to provide the highest possible luminous flux directed diagonally downwards - towards the surface to be illuminated. At the same time, the luminaire itself is completely concealed in a hole made in the reinforced concrete structure. To minimise glare, the luminaires were fitted with glare shields.

 

The building was honoured with the third prize in the international [d]arc Awards 2021 in the category 'places'.