Nexus 21, an urban revitalization project consists of 21 structures that have been designed by Daniel Libeskind and inLodz21 Institution. The 21 structures range between residential and commercial buildings to a variety of urban spaces, resulting in quality investment. Activities such as architecture, film, fashion, and textile will be promoted. The 21 plots currently are empty and un-utilized, the revitalization will result in creating engaging zones having various functions and designs. The location of the project is in the historical neighbourhood of Łódź, Poland which is the hometown of Daniel Libeskind.
Ar. Daniel Libeskind says – “The Nexus21 project aims to create meaningful connections throughout the city by expressing the memory, history and vital energy of the city and people of Łódź. Each project aims to tell a unique story about the extraordinary strength and power of the city and its citizens”.
The project aims to enhance the development and utilize the neglected urban spaces. The interventions are designed to enliven the city and give new innovative solutions. The master plan focuses on reviving the structures as well as the spaces between them. There will be a series of hubs to highlight the culture and creativity of the city. The project explores the spectrum of social, environmental, and historical realms. As the project targets both built and the areas in between the built structures, it creates a vibrant nexus where the old and new are juxtaposed. The revitalization would be such that it amplifies the functionality and character of the individual site.
Łódź Architecture Center
The architecture center is envisioned to be the new cultural getaway of the city. Functionally the building aims to provide exhibition and educational spaces. It also provides the facility for public events and would act as a connecting point for surrounding tourists and commercial destinations. It would also be the place for discovery through state of art technology. Architect Daniel Libeskind has played with dynamic geometric forms which creates a contrast with the neighbouring old, historic context. The material palette used is the white enclosure, glass skylights, and green roofs, which tend to re-interpret the traditional architecture of the place.
Along with the architectural center, other hubs will pay homage to the historical, cultural, and industrial heritage of łódź. These hubs include textile, film, and fashion. The next to be built after the Architecture center is the Fashion Innovation center. These interventions will be created to celebrate the rich history of the textile and fashion industries in łódź. The core idea of this center will be to provide generators for innovations and technology. It would help bring new creative ideas to the historic textile industries in Poland.
Other than these hubs, there would also be a ‘House of Futures”, which will be an innovative and technological community forum. It would have innovative functionalities which would address the critical questions related to the future of nature and humanity. The environment would be the focus of this forum and it would explore the questions like ‘how we want to live in the future and ‘where citizens see the future of the city’.
Nexus 21 in Łódź is Daniel Libeskind’s fresh approach to urban revitalization. The core of the idea lies in focusing on the multiple neighbourhoods in the city center. It attempts to add the new architectural styles to the neighbourhood with the historic background and creating a. It also thrives to make a quiet and neglected neighbourhood, an interactive and lively area. The purpose of the project mainly aims at rejuvenating the neighbourhood by creating a series of investment points across the city, which cohesively adds more value to the public places. By innovative interventions, it enhances the socio-cultural value as well as the overall identity of the city. It provides an alternative for architects and urban designers of how the urban spaces could be made to thrive again and through it the entire fabric of the city could be regenerated.
