Multi-family House Gdańsk Garnizon | Marcin Woyciechowski

The former military base in Gdańsk, Poland, is unrecognisable. The entire area is developing in the course of revitalization to a part of town for emerging new residential, working and living spaces. On the area’s outer boundary, not far from a historic development dating back to the 19th century, a multifamily house has been built that from afar looks rather more like a sculpture. Most notable are the slanted façades and protruding window boxes, separated at regular intervals by balconies. The very different façade designs are also striking: Titanium zinc meets wood, white plaster walls and glass. Behind the conglomeration of façade elements, we find shops located in the recessed ground floor, apartments are located in the floors above.

The five-storey new building sets itself apart from its environment primarily by its design, colour and materials. Bedroom and kitchen are placed behind the slanting, rather closed façade. The living rooms look out onto balconies with generously sized windows. The developers clad the outward-tilting façade and the pitch roof in RHEINZINK titanium zinc in the prePATINA blue - grey surface finish. The double standing seam system was used to complete the installation of the roof. With its vertical lines, the angled standing seam system façade provides for a forceful, expressive appearance. The movement is broken up by windows, which ensure contrast with their wooden edging and offer an animated play of light and shadow.

The refined façade and selection of variegated materials have given the structure its own distinct identity, providing for a strikingly dynamic image on the site. Precisely this is what the architects wanted to achieve: They wanted to create a varied architecture that gives momentum to the new, vibrant neighbourhood.