Poland was absent from European maps up until the First World War, in 1918 when the insurgents from Poznan, Greater Poland region got together inspired by a speech given on December 27, 1918, by the pianist Ignacy Paderewski (who later became Prime Minister)based on the Polish values of patriotism and commitment to the community. The uprising was led by residents of Poznan due to their astounding military and organisational capabilities. It was the lower-rank officials who led the uprising eventually as it brought together all patriots under one umbrella with one single mission which was to free Poland from Germans. These victories achieved by Polish insurgents were sealed by The Treaty of Versailles and Poland regained independence.
A Community space with Minimal Design
WXCA , a Warsaw-based architectural firm, won the Design competition held in 2019 and the construction of the museum began in 2024 and will be finished by 2026. The museum is located on St Adalbert’s Hill which has an 800-year-old church. The idea behind the design is to celebrate and commemorate the revolt that emerged from the local community and to create a significant cultural and historical site for the region that has space both for the future community and history.
A community space at heart surrounded by four historical blocks inspired by the old fortified settlements, castles, etc of Poland. The central open courtyard will serve as The Community Space, which will have spaces to sit, and relax in order to pause and reflect. The walls around this central courtyard have the names of the people who lost their lives in the Great Uprising. It is primarily a space to connect people and initiate a physical dialogue between the past and present.
Contextual Design
WXCA has designed the Four Blocks around the Central Courtyard as independent and functional units that house spaces for Permanent and Temporary Exhibitions, an Auditorium, a Library and Staff areas. These Blocks are connected through underground pathways in order not to disturb the landscape and increase the community space on the ground. The design is at an urban scale and is inclusive rather than celebrates the history of the site as it has carefully included the historic church as part of the project.
The materials used on the facade of these four museum blocks are the historical rough stone at the base of the buildings and smoother stone at the top. This has been done to showcase the co-existence and transition from tradition to modernity.
Accessible and Inclusive Design
XCA has kept the design of the building blocks more expansive horizontally so that they subtly engage the eye of visitors to move along the landscape culminating at the Church as a focal point. The low height and the horizontality also emphasise the breadth of the uprising. The Central courtyard also has mist installation
The Design is accessible, inclusive, and sustainable. There are ramps provided to increase accessibility for all visitors and accessible design of exhibition layouts and interactive exhibits have been made to help include everyone. This also highlights the values of the community on which the project has been based.
The Buildings have Green Roofing, Energy Efficient Lighting, and Water Conservation to reflect Poznan’s sustainable urban development agenda. The buildings also have huge natural light provisions through filtered natural light coming from skylights to reduce energy costs and also provide a warm inviting environment.
A space for Community
It is set to become a hub for community interactions and events in the region. The best way to commemorate the uprising was to provide the community of the area with their own space. A space they can use and call their own and is sustainable economically as well, which it will eventually become as it attracts locals and visitors alike.
References:
Wielkopolska Uprising Museum in Poznan, Available at:
https://www.wxca.pl/en-us/projects/muzeum-powstania-wielkopolskiego, Accessed : 06.11.2024
Polish Roads to Independence, uhtor:Piotr Szlanta, D.Sc., Available at: https://niepodlegla.gov.pl/en/about-niepodlegla/polish-roads-to-independence/, Accessed on 06.11.2024
https://www.archdaily.com/1022980/a-space-for-shared-memory-wxca-unveils-design-for-the-greater-poland-uprising-museum-in-poznan
https://parametric-architecture.com/wxca-greater-poland-uprising-musueum/?srsltid=AfmBOoowzYKpZx7Fj3scuffO5sWCPHi0TBZR1uALMJI0n4tDgENmg9_U
