In the work of an architect, one of the most interesting and challenging tasks is the reconstruction of existing buildings. The existing matter often imposes very specific solutions and limits the infinite possibilities of shaping the body. An additional limitation is the existing structure of the object, which further narrows the creator’s options.
Studio Name: EASST.COM
Design Team: Lukasz Sterzynski, Marcin Sucharski
Area: 656m2 usable area
Year: 2013
Location: Poznan, Poland
Photography Credits: Przemyslaw Turlej
The plot, which was the subject of the project, is located at the Citadela park (Poznan, Poland), which is an important historical site for the city. It used to be a defensive fort and has now been transformed into a park with an area of 100 hectares. The area also offers a view of the Warta River, which the city was located on in the Middle Ages.
The building in this area was a modest structure built in the 1960s. It had successfully served investors for years as a residential house. As the surrounding buildings have begun to transform functionally from a residential into office ones, the investor’s idea also assumed the transformation of the house into an office building. The project, therefore, required practically a complete reconstruction of the facility. Complete removal of all installations and strong interference in the structure. The inspiring location of the building on the slope allowed for a creative approach to the room levels. Extending the basement level and inserting it into the existing slope made it possible to obtain space for an underground garage for four cars. The upper storeys were enlarged and the existing walls were reduced to the minimum sections so that the layout of the rooms was as open as possible. The last attic storey has been added. It is completely free from walls and can be freely shaped functionally. The roof is sloping, asymmetrical which gives the shape additional dynamics.
A reference to the rebuilt house is an undercut and glazed corner, above which a projected element of a cube with balconies is hung. Due to this procedure, the heavy structure of the storeys hangs over the terrace located above the ground floor. The subtle rhythm of the windows facing the street is contrasted with the massive entrance block. The elements of small architecture and entrance stairs are made of concrete.
The newly created shape set new trends for buildings in the area completely changing and modernizing its appearance.
Profile
The founders of the office are architects: Łukasz Sterzyński and Marcin Sucharski. They have been connected by friendship and passion for over two decades. To create projects the way they like the most – interesting and unpretentious – they have been running their own studio in Poznań–their home city – since 2005. The name of their office highlights their roots. Easst Architects are architects from Eastern Europe who have been convincing for years that you can create projects in Poland at a world-class level.
Biography
Łukasz Sterzyński is an architect and the creator of the studio. He graduated from the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at the Poznań University of Technology (2001) and from Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts et Industries de Strasburg (2004). Since 2009, he has been authorized to design the Council of the Chamber of Architects of France. He is the winner of numerous national and international competitions – among others: Pilkington Glasshouse and Urban Competition of City Council of Strasburg Award.
Marcin Sucharski in an architect who graduated from the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at the Poznań University of Technology (2001). He completed architecture courses at Northon University London and urban workshops at the Fontys Academy of Architecture and Urban Design, Tilburg (Netherlands).
