Client
AIR Jurkowscy - Architekci
Country
Poland
Type
Team project
Category
Architectural competition
An ideational and study-based Urban and Architectural Concept Competition entry for a major cultural hub in Krakow, Poland.
Project Overview
The conceptual design for the Lesser Poland Marshal's Office in Krakow is a modern, multi-functional administrative headquarters spanning over 25,000 m². The architecture seamlessly integrates municipal workspaces with representative, commercial, and public areas, creating an open, secure, and user-friendly environment that harmonizes with Krakow's dynamic urban landscape.
Goals
To establish a modern and representative governance hub: Design a functional, flexible, and visually distinct headquarters that reflects regional authority while remaining welcoming to the public.
To ensure flood safety and cost efficiency: Eliminate underground levels to place the building safely above 100-year flood levels, protecting against Vistula River flooding while reducing initial investment costs.
To optimize energy performance: Implement sustainable technologies—including geothermal heat pumps, thermo-active ceilings, photovoltaic systems, and LED lighting—to lower operational energy consumption.
To integrate seamlessly into the urban fabric: Blend the architectural massing into the urban block along Aleja Pokoju, preserve existing greenery, and create an accessible public space featuring a raised entrance plaza.
To build a multi-functional ecosystem: Combine administrative and legislative zones (offices, council chambers) with ground-floor commercial and public services (retail, dining, healthcare, banking) to actively engage the local community.
My role
Architect, Team member
Responsibilities
Reviewing formal competition requirements
Analyzing the site in terms of development potential and transport connections
Contributing to the urban concept for the entire complex
Collaborating on the architectural concept of the buildings
Developing site management and spatial planning layouts
Drafting floor plans and building cross-sections
Participating in engineering consultations regarding investment feasibility
Research
This section analyzes the urban, environmental, and technological factors shaping the Marshall Office of the Małopolska Region in Kraków. The design balances a dignified civic identity with sustainable development, advanced technology, and environmental constraints.
Context analysis
Urban context
Addressing the diverse scale of surrounding structures, the design continues the local "nest-like" pattern through a structured urban block with a detached southwestern corner, ensuring smooth pedestrian and vehicular access.
Flood management
Vistula flood risks eliminated underground levels. The solution features an elevated, naturally ventilated above-ground parking level supporting the main building on columns.
Landscape integration and noise mitigation
Excavated soil is shaped into a linear sloping green berm along Aleja Powstania Warszawskiego to serve as a natural acoustic screen, soften the landscape, and provide an accessible ramp for pedestrians and people with disabilities.
Challenges
Flood protection vs. functionality: Avoiding deep underground excavations by raising parking to ground level while securing against 100-year floods.
Comfort in harsh conditions: Managing solar heat and noise on the western facade while implementing precision air conditioning for archives and thermo-active ceilings for offices.
Structural complexity: Engineering the diamond-shaped Assembly Hall supported by variable-diameter concrete rings and radial arched frames.
Cost optimization: Balancing modern technological requirements with construction and operational cost-efficiency by eliminating expensive underground excavation and mechanical ventilation.
Strategy
Our design strategy combines a dignified, authoritative civic identity with advanced technological innovation and strict environmental constraints, ensuring the building respects its urban context while remaining highly efficient and cost-effective.
Design guidelines
Contextual integration
Respecting the heterogeneous surroundings of Kraków through a structured urban block featuring a detached southwestern corner, blending modern architecture with local urban patterns.
Flood resilience and economy
Eliminating deep underground excavations by placing open, naturally ventilated parking at ground level protects the complex against 100-year Vistula floods while significantly reducing investment costs.
Sustainable operations
Prioritizing long-term operational cost-efficiency and environmental sustainability by integrating geothermal heat pumps, thermo-active ceilings, rooftop photovoltaic panels, and advanced waste-reduction features.
Final Design
Our proposed solution assumes that the new Marshal's Office in Kraków blends governmental representation with modern architecture. Its urban-block form features a detached corner and an accessible entrance plaza, separating general offices from the representative assembly hall under a glass dome.
Our solution
Flexible spaces: Modular office spaces can easily adapt to different work arrangements, from open-plan areas to individual rooms and hybrid layouts.
Welcoming public space: An accessible entrance and elevated plaza create a clear and inviting arrival experience, with space for seating, greenery and public activities.
Sustainable design: Flood protection, energy-efficient technologies and preserved greenery help create a resilient building while reducing its environmental impact and operating costs.
