Krakow-based BE DDJM architectural studio is the winner of the first prize in the competition for the architectural and urban planning concept for multi-family residential buildings and service buildings between Zatorska and Odolanowska streets in Wrocław. “I am convinced that this competition will go down in the history of Polish competitions and urban planning. Not only due to the conditions under which we selected the winner,” said Zbigniew Maćków, architect.
The competition organized by PFR Nieruchomości S.A. and Polski Holding Nieruchomości S.A. started in October 2019. Its goal was to select the best housing estate design that will be implemented in the area between Zatorska and Odolanowska streets in the north-eastern part of Wrocław. 73 architectural studios participated in the competition. Six of them moved to the second stage and prepared the concepts. Designs were evaluated by the competition jury, headed by Bolesław Stelmach, Director of the National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning. Submitted projects were also evaluated by the representatives of the City Hall in Wrocław, members of the Wrocław branch of SARP (Association of Polish Architects), and experts from Polski Holding Nieruchomości S.A. and PFR Nieruchomości. The design by BE DDJM was selected as the best concept, the second prize went to Kuryłowicz & Associates, and the third prize to 22ARCHITEKCI. The jury decided that B2 Studio should receive an honorary distinction.
“This competition was definitely more difficult than the previous ones — there is an ongoing pandemic and we worked remotely — all the more praise for the winners. The first prize went to the BE DDJM studio for great urban design, an interesting idea for neighbor units, and great care for social values which is very important to us. Kuryłowicz & Associates won the second prize for beautiful architecture and the simultaneous use of standardization and repeatability to reduce costs, which is not easy to combine. The third place was taken by 22ARCHITEKCI for very high quality of common areas and their interesting layout. The honorary distinction was awarded to B2 Studio for extremely interesting historical analysis of this area and capturing the historical identity of this concept. Congratulations to all winners and participants of the competition,” said Wojciech Caruk, President of the Management Board of PFR Nieruchomości S.A.
“I would like to congratulate the winners and all participants of the competition. The authors of the winning project managed to combine residential and public functions in a unique and harmonious way, creating the perfect conditions for living and leisure for the residents of the future housing estate. This is an example of modern architectural concept, thanks to which new, resident-friendly places are being developed in harmony with nature and ensure comfortable living conditions. We are pleased that thanks to such projects we can transform Polish cities together, and create new urban spaces in Wrocław where people want to live. We hope that such projects will be an inspiration for other urban projects planned and implemented in the near future, preparing cities for the changing needs of their residents,” said Tomasz Górnicki, Vice-President of the Management Board for Investment, Polski Holding Nieruchomości S.A.
“Concentration of buildings in strongly integrated neighbor units with simultaneous expansion towards public spaces seems to be a universal principle.Doubts and emotions that accompanied our discussions also confirm the innovativeness of solutions. It is because of this potential, the unique opportunity to test this project that just like any other will require modifications during development, that I cannot wait for its implementation,” said Piotr Fokczyński, Architect of the City of Wrocław.
“I am convinced that this competition will go down in the history of Polish competitions and urban planning. Not only due to the conditions in which we selected the winner and many days we spent far away from each other in heated discussions, but mainly because of these six projects that presented the highest, world-class level. The winning project anticipated the world we currently live in. It builds a fragment of the city for people providing them with high quality in this dynamically changing environment. Importantly, the design is open to changes and evolution and can respond to these changing conditions,” said Zbigniew Maćków, architect, member of the jury, OW SARP.
The prize pool in the competition was PLN 245,000. In addition, the winner of the main prize will receive an invitation to negotiations regarding the development of design documentation for the housing estate in Wrocław.
The architects participating in the competition were working on a development concept for an area of approx. 25 ha. 12 hectares of this area belong to PFR Nieruchomości, and the remaining land is the property of Polski Holding Nieruchomości S.A. A housing estate will be built on the plot of land belonging to PFRN, which will include about 1,200 apartments as part of the government’s housing program.
The housing estate at ul. Zatorska is not the only project being implemented by PFR Nieruchomości in Wrocław. A housing estate at ul. Kolejowa is currently at the design stage. B2 Studio responsible for the design documentation is planning to file an application for a construction permit in Q3 this year.
Projects of PFR Nieruchomości in Lower Silesia are housing estates located in large cities such as Wrocław, medium-sized cities such as Wałbrzych, and smaller communes such as Oława or Zgorzelec.
PFR Nieruchomości operates on commercial principles during the implementation of the market part of government housing program. The projects are being developed throughout the country and are an alternative to taking out a mortgage. It is an offer for people who start their professional careers, young families, and Poles who do not have credit capacity or are simply not interested in buying an apartment.
PFR Nieruchomości cooperates with local governments, Treasury’s stake companies and private entities.
Polski Holding Nieruchomości Group
The Polski Holding Nieruchomości Group is the leading managing investor in the commercial property market in Poland. It is one of the largest companies in the sector in terms of the market value of its portfolio, which includes ca. 140 properties and nearly 700 ha of land across the country (e.g. in Warsaw, Poznań, Wrocław and the Tri-City). PHN has long experience in both real estate management and construction project implementation. The Company has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange since February 2013.
Contact:
Polski Holding Nieruchomości
Magdalena Kacprzak, Head of the Marketing, Strategy, Investor Relations and PR Office
mob.: +48 721 000 071; phone: +48 22 850 91 34, e-mail: magdalena.kacprzak@phnsa.pl
