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Brutalism in Poland on the example of the architecture of Krakow
Abstract
Impact of brutalism on Polish architecture is unidentified and this scientific problem needs thorough researches. Analyses carried out in this article are precursory and they bring new knowledge to the history of architecture in the 20 th century. Brutalist style became popular in Western Europe in the late 1950s, then spread all over the world and passed in the 1970s. Brutalism in Polish architecture was developed later then in the world and it didn’t become such a dominant trend as in other countries, but many elements and forms of this style can be seen in Poland. Research conducted by the author in recent years led to formulation and classification of brutalist attributes and elements in world architecture. This systematics has become the base for further research of Polish architecture. In this article, the author focuses on the architecture of Krakow, the city where brutalist influences were particularly evident. He choose five most representative buildings from the period 1956-1989 and analyses their forms and spatial arrangement. After that the author presents key features connecting examined buildings with brutalism, such as: heaviness, massiveness, severity, expressiveness, exhibition of construction and internal functions in architectural form, chiaroscuro effects. He also specifies brutalist elements of the buildings: three-dimensional facades, overhanging solids, rhythmically repeated modules, staircase towers, pedestrian bridges and courtyards, rough textures of concrete, brick and plaster. The author distinguishes several ways of devaluation of brutalist buildings, which are unfortunately evident in Krakow. He emphasizes the great importance of protection the heritage of brutalism, which is still underestimated in Poland. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.10.1.9980
... In the building of the opera can find some connections with the brutalism architecture (for instance with aspect of using the texture of concrete). This trend was developed in Poland in 60. and 70. of twentieth century -such examples of brutalism we can see in several project from Cracov realized that times [Niebrzydowski 2015]. ...
The author of the article the is analysing the problem of modernity in architecture on the example of the concept of Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic in Bialystok – one of the most interesting project of contemporary architecture in Poland. It shows a kind of new way in creating modern public building not only in Poland but also in Europe. That means a special synergy of ideas, tradition, technology and nature in architecture – the sophisticated way to achieve modernity in contemporary design. The project was based on three ideas – which concerns mainly to local context (religious hills, Orthodox and Jewish cemeteries), tradition of antique architecture and saint places of Israel and the city centre of Bialystok. Significant role in the project plays the greenery – plants on elevations, poles, roofs, introduced on a few different levels. This ecological aspect refers to the very important tendency of 21st century – sustainable architecture. The complex was designed by studio of Marek Budzynski Architect and was constructed during 2005−2012. We can define the project as the synergy and synthesis of the tradition with the modernity, integration of architecture, culture, technology and the landscape.
... In the building of the opera can find some connections with the brutalism architecture (for instance with aspect of using the texture of concrete). This trend was developed in Poland in 60. and 70. of twentieth centurysuch examples of brutalism we can see in several project from Cracow realized that times [7]. On the other side we must admit, that there are not any details in architecture and interior taken from local culture of Podlasie region, corresponding with local context and history of the town. ...
Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic in Bialystok was created as part of the project called European Centre for the Arts. It was located in the place of the degraded amphitheatre and became one of the most interesting public building realized in Poland in the beginning of the 21st century. The new building of the Podlasie Opera was being constructed during 2005 - 2012. The general designer of the whole complex was studio of Marek Budzynski Architect. The author of this article has taken the trial of using a kind of parametrical methodology analysing urban composition, architectural concept and sustainable aspects of the new Podlasie Opera House. A context of the location of the new building is very important - the religious hill and the small Orthodox Church of St. Maria Magdalena's, ancient cemeteries: Orthodox and Jewish, contemporary Central Park - the city centre of Bialystok. The first project contained of the building of the opera, the multiscreen cinema and an underground parking. The project was based on 3 ideas – the idea of Hope and Co-existing, the idea of the axis of the Podlasie Art. And the idea of the Tradition. In the Project of the new Opera we can see many ecological aspects: omnipresent greenery - plants on elevations, poles, roofs, introduced on a few different levels. The New Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic is the example of new tendency in the architecture of 21st century. We can call it New Romanticism or Modernist Romanticism. Other critics situate the style of the new building between the classical postmodernism and the individualistic postmodernism. But for sure we can see here the connection of culture and nature using the architectural art. Also the synthesis of opposites, synthesis of the tradition with the modernity, integration of architecture and the landscape.
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