The case of the campus of the Warsaw School of Economics

Transcription

1 The case of the campus of the Warsaw School of Economics Professor Marek Bryx Head of Investment & Real Estate Department Deputy Rector responsible for the university development Tallin May 2011

2 A few words about our history The Warsaw School of Economics was established in 1906 when the first courses of business behavior and economy set out. From the beginning of the history of the School the founding fathers dreamt about the own school structure, in which they could independently explain a sophisticated and complicated nature of economy. Their plans could be realized not sooner than Poland regained its independence it was in 1918 as a result of Versailles Peace Treat and after the Polish-Bolshevism War.

3 1922 (the first idea of Jan Koszczyc Witkiewicz)

4 1923 (the second sketch of the first idea of Jan Koszczyc Witkiewicz)

5 What is common in these 2 visions? A completed complex of buildings: In palace style with two guardhouses on both the front sides public space between them a big main building with two wings (southern and northern) small blocks of flats for the university professors as outbuildings closing the fourth side of the plot Too much ambitious for that time???

6 What has been done? So, finally, in 1923, the architect was asked to prepare a detail plan, and realize it, of one detached building from the Rakowiecka Street. The architect treated this order ALWAYS as the first step of creating the future university campus. He therefore tried to preserve his general idea of the campus with internal garden as well and he was faithful to his overall vision and design till his death. In the library was designed and built. It was the second step on the way of continuing of our campus development. Thus the volume of the building is almost the same as the first one and it is located exactly on the second side of the campus according to the axes of its symmetry. The main building was created at the beginning of the socialist era. The university was nationalized and its name was changed. From 1949 to 1990 it was known as: Central School of Planning and Statistics. As you can see the main building is shorter than that planned in the twenties, but its internal public space was carried out according to the first idea were not good years to question the ideas of the authority. However Jan Koszczyc Witkiewicz was against shortening the building; another architect did it. They both cooperated and finally they saved the idea of internal public space called parachute hall.

7 the first building

8 the first building

9 What has been done? the library building

10 What has been done? the library building

11 Library building

12 What has been done? the first ideas of the main building

13 What has been done? main building (project 1924)

14 What has been done? main building (project 1924)

15 What has been done? residential house

16 What has been done? residential house

17 What has been done? new building in its historical context

18 So, what is a challenge of the SGH? general view on the SGH campus in 2010

19 Public space It is a social space that is open accessible to all (but also non-government-owned malls are examples of private space with the appearance of being public space ) So, what kind of public space is appeared at universities?

20 Public space at universities Because of an access to universities space, I think that we can mark off 4 categories of public space at the universities: 1. Internal public space, divided into: a) typical (one functional) b) multifunctional 2. External public space, divided into: a) closed external space b) open public space The last one is precisely compatible with the definition.

21 typical internal public space: an auditorium in the first building

22 typical internal public space: main auditorium in the main building

23 internal multifunctional public space: stairs in the first building

24 internal multifunctional public space: stairs in Library building

25 internal multifunctional public space: Parachute Hall in the main building

26 reading-room at the Library building

27 reading-room at the Library building

28 exterior view of the reading-room Library building

29 Parachute Hall in the main building (project 1924)

30 internal multifunctional public space Parachute Hall in the main building

31 close external space public garden

32 close external space public garden

33 general view on the SGH campus in 2010

34 open external public space

35 open external public space

36 open public external space now

37 The SGH campus presents a challenge How to: develop its historical value (to be pointed out) create modern, new required space for the university and for the citizens? It means - how the university capital should be changed in the real future value?

38 new idea of the campus

39 New idea of the campus To retain the axis of symmetry, that has never been rejected by our architect, 2 buildings should be developed at these two corners. It allows us to possess new space for teaching and researching. And this is the simplest task of planned investment. I would like to complicate it a bit. Because, sooner or later, a few other dilemmas should be solved: a concept of the internal garden (about 1 ha area), two other corners of the campus from the east side.

40 new idea of the campus?

41 Redevelopment of the front of the SGH campus A unique chance to change the external space, constructed in 80 s when the underground station was completed. Open public external space, belonging to the SGH, counts about 5-6 thousand square meters where there are: pavements, bus stop, two exits of the underground, a public parking space and a few trees. It only connects different kinds of transport and the main entrance to the SGH. Questions: How will the people draw into the public space? What kinds of new functions could be offered to them?

42 Mokotow Gate new idea of the front of the SGH campus

43 Mokotow Gate as a new challenge The simple idea, to create new space for the university activities, has developed into the multifunctional investment which could cover about 4 hectares in the front of the SGH campus. This space should be changed from a transport point interexchange into a real public space. The SGH is opened to the idea of drawing citizens into its space. So, an internal space, but open to the public, can be located at the new buildings A new public square could be created in the whole of this area. It is waiting for new vision, new functions and new architectural assumption. I have even booked its name: Square of Jan Koszczyc Witkiewicz, the name of the architect of our campus.

44 Master Plan of Stary Mokotów

45 Jan Koszczyc Witkiewicz Square 1. Mokotow Gate should smoothly connect: typical public space with the SGH different kinds of space; especially Parachute Hall and new buildings to be constructed at the corners of our campus. It should also connect the existing buildings with new complex. 2. The location of investment is perfect and we will change not only the SGH campus but the city face. Therefore, new functions which will: a. open the University to citizens b. connect citizens with students and academic teachers are required

46 Mokotow Gate Jan Koszczyc Witkiewicz Square

47 Around The Light an international competition When Jan Koszczyc Witkiewicz created, about 90 years ago, the plan for the Warsaw School of Economics, his brilliant ideas were found highly innovative and modern by the people of his time and they continue being perceived as such. Due to certain circumstances he did not see his plan completed. He did, however, manage to assure that whatever was built remained beautiful and functional, and was constructed with the use of the most modern technology of the time. Now, the time has come to enlarge and redevelop the campus and we want to do it continuing the original ideas and achievements of the famous architect. The new project should answer the present and the possible future needs of the university and its neighbourhood. It should involve all the campus area, including the internal garden, the front of the campus, the future square named after Jan Koszczyc Witkiewicz, and the existing historical buildings which should be connected with the new ones to form one aesthetically coherent building complex. To develop our campus we will need an innovative vision which will make the Warsaw School of Economics again a truly unique place. Therefore an international competition will be opened soon.

48 historical details Library building

49 historical details Library building

50 historical details Library building

51 you are welcome to visit our campus in Warsaw thank you for your attention Marek Bryx Warsaw School of Economics al. Niepodleglosci 162 Warsaw - Poland