The modern space of university - the Research Institute 'Glina' by Michael Debski

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The Modern space of university - The Research institute Glina in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Thesis by Michał Dębski MSc Eng Arch Promoter Robert Barełkowski PhD Eng Arch University of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz, Poland Bydgoszcz, Poland 2015 2

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ABSTRACT THESIS TITLE:

THE MODERN SPACE OF UNIVERSITY - PROJECT OF THE RESEARCH INSTITUTE 'GLINA' IN BYDGOSZCZ. Bydgoszcz, which is the capital of the voievodeship, is a city with the population over 365 000 residents. This Kuyavian municipality is situated at the crossroads of nationally and European important waterways. Bydgoszcz, surrounded by the Bydgoszcz Primeval Forest and forests (running down to the Tuchola Forest), has a rich natural climate (many green areas in the city, unique bands of green, flora's and fauna's colonies, resorts, garden city), as well as the tradition of cultivation, carrying of the green areas. Since the first half of 17th century, catholic orders led botanical studies and parks in the, and in the late 19th century, it developed to the academic researches of nature (institutes, botanical gardens, research parks). The natural landscape in the city is intermingling with post-industrial spaces. Bydgoszcz is located on lands rich in clay. It is full of traces of the extraction of raw materials from the ground, in the form of clay pits filled with water. The brickyard work system (which were operating since 19th century, and today are already blank, closed), created structures that have become part of the landscape - a new and intriguing ecosystem.

The project presents architectural and urban concept, which will create new, high-quality space for Bydgoszcz and the University of Technology and Life Sciences. The main idea is to use of the high potential of the location (post-industrial area with clay pits - the former clay mine) and formulate the functional and spatial plan, the one harmonized with nature; customized the architectural form as dominant in the area. The object and provided role for it, works as an extension of the functional program of the University. The proposed project concern two integral parts - the Research Institute and the Palm House. The complex have had assigned to scientific, research and recreational activities functions (with the necessary technical facilities), enriched with commercial activity in the Palm House and the Institute (defined range), as well as landscape development adjacent to them.

The study was undertaken with detailed analysis of existing condition of the site in the context of urban connections in Bydgoszcz. It programmed functional and spatial arrangement for the scientific research and recreational activities with commercial elements zones (interacting of the functions). It was designed the architectural concepts for both - the Institute and the Palm House, with regard to its function and the influence of the external context. The proposed architectural, structural and environmentally friendly solutions, effect on the final image of harmonious operation of the proposed facilities. Design in a sensitive context, strongly ingrown in a structure (a naturalized post-industrial landscape), brings the need for multidimensional treatment of the influences on a form and its content.

On the one hand - be treated with respect to the existing genius loci, on the other - a distinction, underline it with the proposed facility.

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1.1 THE SUBJECT AND PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The subject is architectural and urban design of modern university space – the research institute located at the Fordońska street in Bydgoszcz, in Poland, with the palm house and the site development of the former clay mine, with the simultaneous transformation of the site for an active, modern public space, harmonized with surroundings. The purpose of the design is to create clear, legible functional – spatial program for academic environment, with simultaneous consideration of synergic influence of the object functions.

The space of former clay mine is going to be put to regeneration process, with expose its postindustrial heritage. Multilayered possibilities of object using constitute about its contemporary and multifaceted meaning, whereby the academic, didactical, recreational and services functions will be conjoint, but also it responds to the city-creating factors of the district Fordon, and to the Bydgoszcz city.

‘Glina1’,

1.2 LOCATION Elaborated site is located in east part of Bydgoszcz, the city bestead in Kuyavia in Poland, by the river Brda, Vistula and Bydgoski Canal. Situated around 9 km distance from the centre of the city, in historical district Suszyn, which is now the part of the district Fordon. It is the quarter about 100 ha limited by the Akademicka Street from the north, Prof. S. Kaliski Avenue from the east, Fordońska Street from the south and M. Rejewski Street from the west. The quarter consists of the campus of University of Technology and Life sciences, the fallow lands and the former clay mine site. The area, since joining to the city of Bydgoszcz in 19732, was ‘the bedroom district’. Irregular distribution of high-rise residentional building (blocks of flats), is the main challenge composing the space of the growing district. It is explicit residentional function in the district, with increasingly influential services spaces (the retail park growth since 2000, and the other commercial buildings), in contrast to the lack of cultural, recreational functions.

‘Asleep’ character of the location, suggest the particular exposition of its lost, forgotten heritage.

The district abounds with rich green areas – mainly chaotic, naturalistic, as the result of foundation of the new part of the district in 70ies and 80ies on the greenfield lands. As the result of the foundation are inconsequential groups of buildings, which are setting the chaos into the urban layer, at the same time abandoning the enormous fallows (such as indicated elaborated site). Directly to the site, there isn’t any paved roads – there is only few sandy routes and footpaths. The access to the plot is possible from M. Rejewski Street (through the causeway between the clay pits filled with water), and from Akademicka Street (from university campus), and the shortest access from Fordońska Street. Each of the ways adjacent to the quarter, except for Prof. S. Kaliski Avenue (local category of the road), have the regional and national category of the roads (Fordońska Street is also the National Road no. 80).3 Fordońska Street also determine the compositional axis and the main communication axis in the eastern part of the city. In close proximity, there is main bridge on the Vistula river (eastern access to the city).

Rich infrastructure around the elaborated area constitute its high availability – the course of the national, regional roads, the railway in the south (with the city rapid railway system) with two stations, tram line in the north. In addition there is a river port (2.2 km distance), and the I. J. Paderewski Airport (10 km distance).

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glina – from polish language, means clay.

The Fordon district was join into the borders of Bydgoszcz in 1973. The Fordon town was located In 1383 and it holds rich history [Wyszogród gord (Slavonic fortified settlement) from 12th c., former Synagogue and Judaic school from 18th c., the Old Town building from the second part of 19th c., the hydro technical and military heritage from 19th/20th c.]. After late 70ies of 20th c. it was planned as the residentional district full of blocks of flats in the most inhuman, modernist way. The lack of function caused the ‘bedroom district’ character.

3 The Act of 27 February 2015. about public roads (Dz. U. of 2015. No., pos. 460), Chancellery of the Polish Sejm 2

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1.3 THE ISSUE Contemporary architecture of academic environment is determined by multifunctional city spaces – integrated, or outright open to the surroundings. The good composed space can provide an unique impulse, which raise the value of urban tissue, especially when the high quality is attributed to the architecture, with harmonized context. In contrast to the ‘response’ to the context of the universities in city centres, stands the campuses located in peripherally. The severity of context hinders the dialogue with accompanying structures, frequently leads to cut off the objects, or the group of them, from the environment (making them as the extraneous structure). Finding the language, leading to the understanding of the integrity of the academic milieu, didactics, have to be sought out in the natural world.

The ancient world grew up in its brightness, recognizing the need for education, especially in the fresh air – the naturalistic world was the background for the philosophy of the ancient days. Over the centuries, the integration of nature and the academic world has been understood in different ways, with the various effects. Today’s academic architecture usually is prepared to meet the needs of the mass of students and academics, in the good cases – with simultaneous assigning of attractive forms. How then to understand the coexistence of two worlds nowadays? It should use the metaphor of the ancient amphitheatre – open space, rising the tone, content, language, resulting in a reaching out to the listeners.

The open structure, which penetrates the natural world, the world of human, serves perfectly exposing the strength of the human mind. Regardless of its final form – organic, rectangular, etc. – each space has its source in some focal point (in the case of ancient amphitheatre – orchestra), whereby the axis of interactions are generated, also the directions of development, the perception and interpretation of the space – the architecture. Moving the metaphorical picture into the reality, the focal point constitutes a contribution to create an algorithm – a code – which is the beginning of culture, language, function, space and form.

The architectural language is closely associated with mental processes for perceiving the world.

By managing the code for the reading the space, it is possible to analyze, what can be use for the integration process of the centre with the surroundings (in this case, the university with the naturalistic world). Recognizing the theory of the formation, operation of the processes of creating the facility, in parallel it should be read the language of the needs and reactions of its future users. A facility for didactic purposes requires the understanding of the thought processes guiding its users (this applies to architecture in general). This prompts the unambiguously a reference to the cognitive psychology, also further cognitive process. The importance of decoding of the space, revealed a better understanding of the human environment exploring issues, the creation of his knowledge about the surrounding world, which is used in total in his behaviour.4 The user’s space knowledge is presented as a structure (the mental representation), and the mechanisms of its creation as processes (the cognition). Transposing the whole into architectural language, should be understood as the creation and transformation of the structures with the processes – the knowledge by learning, and the architectural form by analyzing a user’s relation with the environment. The cognition of a person acting in the space is used for creating and modifying the knowledge about the environment. It shapes its behaviour (the influence of the language of architecture on human behaviour). The elemental (mindfulness, perception, memory, cognitive control) and complex (thinking and language) notions of the cognitive processes illustrate the interactions with architecture. Transposing the semantic values (relationship between language and reality) onto architecture code, clearly reflects the focus of these notions collisions. Elaborated diagram (Fig. 4) based on the cognitive processes and the urban planning values – enriched with imageability and 4

According to the description of the cognitive psychology notions [in]: Nęcka E. & Orzechowski J. & Szymura B., (2006). The Cognitive Psychology. Warsaw: PWN.

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wayfinding5 notions, shows their interactions, accorded to the adopted taxonomy. Especially evident in the statement are the dependences of the affective and interpersonal interactions (in relation to the naturalistic values) and visual-spatial with intrapersonal (both in relation to the naturalistic values).

Noteworthy are the roles of logical interactions and communication itself – the first constitute a mean, the medium, and the second determine the manner, the way the process overlap (however both notions do not have as significant impact on the architectural space as the other). Naturalistic values should be considered as an evidence of diffusion, the transparency of human behaviour, the processes guiding it, and the spaces, forms created by it, in the context of nature.

The project’s life process determines the ability to its ‘thinking’ – decoding the language, which integrates it with the environment gradually. Observation and analysis of the space and the senses and mind activities, directs the process to another phase – modelling, and the model itself. This cognitive approach aims to explain the thought processes and the modelling of its structures (in the language of architecture, and literally the human behaviour), simulation of forms in space and their evolution. This ‘intelligent’ form of the didactic facility – the university – can be treated not only as a clearly defined architectural form, but also a kind of tool. Academic building may simply represents (not only by employees and all scientific processes occurring inside) the teaching medium, since it can become one itself. The giving of the scientific characteristics takes place as the cooperation of users’ behaviour and the used forms (already mentioned transparency, the diffusion of human interactions and architectural forms), resulting in a uniform, big, live research field, shown by a number of solutions.

A separate issue is the gentrification and regeneration of devalued space, created for the university space requirements. Appropriate management of project implementation, may result as a form of distinctive place - centred around the location heritage (genius loci). Certainly, the purpose is to create a specific landmark - an element strong enough, to impact on human's imageability. Whilst owing to the multitude of choices - the wayfinding, the cognitive process can be expanded through better contact and a direct cognizance of the architectural forms and site development.

Highly significant is also the issue of the integrity of the structures of the university in relation to the campus. Analyzing the capabilities, benefits and disadvantages, it can be concluded that the best operating entity is a group in a fact (Fig. 5).

Fig. [5]. The expression of unified university campus by a group of interconnecting attributes.

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According to the values of urban space by Kevin Lynch: the conclusion of forming mental maps of people’s surroundings consisting of five elements (paths, edges, districts, nodes and landmarks) and the notions imageability (the ability to form a mental image of a space) and wayfinding (the user experience of orientation and choosing a path within the built environment) [in:] Lynch K., (1960). The image of the city. Massachusetts: Cambridge.

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The diffusion of forms, with its characteristic features (e.g. significant role of the users – the department – through the code, the architectural language application) do not determine the chaos, but the complexity. The application of multiplicity into the structure is possible by unifying medium – in this case it may be the nature – due to the elaborated peripheral area, as well as subtle, indirect references to the current university form (simple, rectangular, cubic form).

1.4 RESEARCH BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY The research background of the elaborated subject are the materials in a form of a photographic inventory, geodetic survey map (of the site and surroundings), the bibliography, statistics, references to similar facilities. The project of modern university space – the institute with the palm house, is based on the current provisions of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on technical conditions for the buildings and their foundation, dated 12-04-2002 (Rozporządzenia Ministra Infrastruktury w sprawie warunków technicznych, jakim powinny odpowiadać budynki i ich usytuowanie). The conclusions concerning the existing state presented in the elaboration, have been drawn up with the photographic inventory, the urban and architecture analysis, and by the direct recognition of the academic units in Poland and abroad with processes and modes of its users activity.

1.5 HISTORICAL DRAFT The brickyard in Fordon (current Fordońska Street), became active in the late 19th c. Founded

by Polish-German entrepreneur Albert Medzeg. It is not know the exact date of commencement of the clay excavation operating in the current location, but it is certain that it operated from early 20ies of the 20th c.6 (Fig. 6). From the mine led the track of a narrow gauge railway directly to the factory away

Fig. [6]. The Albert Medzeg brickyard in Fordon, about 1930.

approx. 1.5 km. It was one of eight active brickyards in Bydgoszcz these days. Therefore the multitude of preserved relics of excavations in the form of clay pits (with the biggest group in Fordon district). The area apart from mine activities, was mostly uncultivated, sporadic forests and few farms, which later have been moved due to the thriving excavation activity.

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According to: Biegański Z., (1997). Dzieje Fordonu i okolic. Bydgoszcz

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Fig. [7]. The narrow gauge railway, about 1930.

Fig. [8]. The brickyard at Fordońska Street worked until 2010 – the narrow gauge railway is closed since 2000, and is gradually dismantled (photo 2006).

Fig. [9]. Since the railway close, the former mine area is recultivating (photo 2006).

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The tradition of the study of natural phenomena and botany in Bydgoszcz, reaches the 17th c., when orders of the Friars Minor of the Observance, Carmelites, the Order of Saint Clare, and the Jesuits gardened and elaborated botanical documentation. Because of orders’ activities, there was established the gardens, whereby the act of cultivation was practicing. It took a stronger meaning in the 19 th c., when the Planty Park was founded in 1802 (the largest park in the city then, by the Old Bydgoski Canal from 1772). In 1906 the Agriculture Institute was founded, whilst in 1930, near the city centre, was founded the first botanical garden in this region.

Meanwhile, in 1911 in Bydgoszcz was open the Higher Royal-Prussian School of Craft and Art Industry (Königliche Preussische Handwerker- und Kunstgewerbeschule at St. Trinity Street, one of the earliest architecture and craftsmanship departments on Polish territory).

Fig. [10]. The building of the Higher Royal-Prussian School of Craft and Art Industry, since 1951 the building of the Evening College of Engineering (photo about 1960).

In the period 1939-1945, the school was abolished, and after war it is not returned to an earlier didactic track. Instead of it, in 1951 was founded the Vocational Engineering School, which evolved in 1964 into the Higher School of Engineering, which became the University of Technology and Agriculture in 1974 – the largest university in Bydgoszcz then. At this state, there has been a sudden shift in academic activities

Fig. [11], [12], [13]. The buildings of departments of University of Technology and Agriculture (current state, photos 2015).

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of this unit. In 1968-69 it was designed the new, modernistic campus (by architects M. Szwedziński and A. Znajkiewicz) for large educational needs of Bydgoszcz inhabitants, as the city in this period expand its economy and profile (industrial). The project was developed in two versions slightly different from each other in composition. The selected A variant, contained more than 90 hectares of university ‘carpet’ – academic campus had to function as a machine to educate and housing for students and employees (the working name Oxfordon). From enormous foundation, it was implemented less than 10%. Worth to notice is the use of the area between clay mine (the excavations) and academic centre. In a lowered part of the site, was composed sports and recreation space, with artificial water reservoir (formed on the basis of the clay pit ponds).

Fig. [14]. The model of ‘Oxfordon’. The image from periodical magazine Architektura (SARP, (1968). Architektura no. 11(252). Warsaw: Arkady).

Fig. [15]. The model of ‘Oxfordon’ with implemented scope of the campus foundation.

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Fig. [16], [17]. The A variant of ‘Oxfordon’ (the University of Technology and Agriculture with the campus. The image from periodical magazine Architektura (SARP, (1968). Architektura no. 11(252). Warsaw: Arkady).

Fig. [18]. Students in the patio of one of the campus buildings in Fordon (photo 1997).

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Fig. [19]. Students in the hall of the main building of the campus in Fordon (photo 1997).

In 2006, the Academy of Technology and Agriculture evolved into the University of Technology and Life Sciences (Uniwersytet Technologiczno-Przyrodniczy im. Jana i Jędrzeja Śniadeckich w Bydgoszczy, the abbreviation UTP).

1.6 ANALYSIS OF CURRENT STATE The developed site occupies an area of 8.83 hectares and is located directly by the university campus, in Fordon district, in the eastern part of Bydgoszcz. The area is the former clay mine. The direct surroundings are chaotic fallow lands covered with vegetation. There is not any constructions, the area is completely deserted and speaking colloquially – forgotten. The land relief is flat, due to the levelling process as a result of mining activities. The lower parts are just only right at the edge of the excavation filled with water – the clay pits.

The surroundings of the plot as the retail park from the west, with big parking surface at M. Rejewski Street, the forest, and further the tram line and hospital from the north. From the eastern side it is mainly fallow lands with chaotic green coverage, the allotment gardens and the university campus. From the south it is also fallow lands, and further the train line and Fordońska Street. The access to the plot is possible from west, through the levee, from the east by the road by the railway and from the north and south by the sandy walk paths. Around the quarter also goes the bus lines.

The plot is covered with the chaotic layout of vegetation, the groups of high bushes, grasses, groups of trees by the pits and rich flora over the water. It can often encounter the illegal dumping of debris or wastes. Withstanding, the west side of the clay pits (beyond the boundaries of the elaborated site) is a home for colonies of wild waterfowl7. In the site area it is hard to distinguish the presence of any road transport or surrounding complexes (retail park, campus, hospital), caused by the separation with the groups of high groups of bushes and trees (piling up from centre into the plot boundaries). It is certainly an advantage, the calm and isolation provides the impression of the wild nature, while excellent accessibility by public transport.

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Marcysiak K.: The environment conservation – Bydgoszcz and surroundings. [in:] Banaszak J. (2004). The Bydgoszcz environment /Przyroda Bydgoszczy/. Bydgoszcz: Wydawnictwo Akademii Bydgoskiej im. Kazimierza Wielkiego.

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1.7 PHOTOGRAPHIC INVENTORY

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Fig. [22]. View to the levee from the west. (G – clay pits, 1. – levee, 2. – the plot, 3. – residential estates of Fordon)

Fig. [23]. View to the east from the plot.

Fig [24]. View form north-east to the plot.

Fig. [25]. View from the east to the plot.

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Fig. [26]. View to the west from the plot.

Fig. [27]. Aerial view to the south-west – the clay pits and the plot on the left of the photography.

[All the photography in this paragraph took in 2015.]

1.8 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1.8.1 Urban composition and area history (fig. 28).

1.8.2 Vegetation (fig. 29).

1.8.3 Communication (fig. 30).

1.8.4 Building functions (fig. 31).

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1.9 THE CONCLUSIONS The role of the analysis was to present the current state of urban situation and to answer the questions that are forming the functional program and architectural forms of designed objects. Isolated character of the site constitutes particular challenge as extremely sensitive (whilst respecting the history of the place). The wide scope of the analysis was a result of the lack of any reference points in this space.

This can reflect the planned impact of designed Institute and the Palm House. As a result of their presence, will change not only the immediate environment, but also it will affect the district (and on a larger scale, the city).

In the analytical process it was developed the positive and negative aspects of the existing state.

Clearly, the benefit are the naturalistic, calm character of the location, accessibility of roads surroundings the quarter, exceptional heritage (which is perfectly visible). It is necessary to preserve this collection of values, that the newly designed forms will not disrupt the reception of this state. It is difficult to identify the negative factors that may affect the designed objects and its relation with the space. The result of SWOT8 analysis provides the advantage of positive aspects of the location, in further perspective it can constitute an excellent way of development of the University of Technology and Life sciences, and this part of the district (creation of the quarter of educational-cultural objects with highly exposed role of the nature and recreation).

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The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

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2.1 IDEA AND DESIGN ASSUMPTIONS The main idea of elaborated space, was to create the objects in the most perfect way of reading the behaviour processes of its users, their way of thinking, the collaboration between the forms and its recipients. An expression of the transparency triggers the integrity of both structures – the Institute and Palm house, at the same time, it facilitates the use of both buildings, tends to explore its code, read its language (uppermost to do it in user’s own way). The road from the focal point (in this case, the metaphor of a seed) to clear language of forms, has it aim in creation of algorithm – its evolution, transformation transposed into the elaborated site and existing conditions. Designed objects are devoid of any barriers (transparency of forms) to harmonized within the context and with the role of didactical function and its interaction with the users.

THE ALGORITHM OF DESIGNING FOCAL POINT - THE SEED The central node of compositional axis, the centre of the interior from which all designed space grows. In physical sense - in the design of the Institute - this is an auditorium, which is a reference to ancient amphitheatre, a symbol of dialogue, learning, cognition.

CODE The operation of the code around the focal point creates relationships - the interactions of designed forms, and as a consequence – the forms and environment in the context of the use. Further, in the use process context and the fulfilment of its function. Well analyzed components of the code, can be conscious factor affecting the formation of an architectural language.

LANGUAGE Defined form of a code is based on interactions. Its continuity is included in a relative position of its various components at the focal point - therefore it constitutes a set of different values, which are continuous transforming in a response to the changes. The language of architecture leads precisely the same - it comes up against the needs, unified by one common purpose, despite the differences of multiple, different structures.

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TRANSPOSITION OF THE ALGORITHM IN TO THE ASSUMPTIONS AND FORMS OF THE RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND PALM HOUSE

FOCAL POINT - THE SEED Position the common point in to the central place of the elaborated site. The metaphorical form of the seed wherefore all the sets, forms and contents grows.

CODE The creation of the code – distinguish the two main contents, the research institute and the palm house, and underline its mutual arrangement (alignment with the axis).

LANGUAGE The formation of architectural language speaking through the forms of the institute and the palm house, is a complex process. The first factor where it can be distinguished the simple codes from the language, is to implement the common orbit of the dialogue (beyond the focal point). In this case, it is a didactic function – uppermost to the others.

Further, it distinguish also the other elements of the code (their mobility in a creational process).

From the common orbit, there are highlighted the two sets (with a common factor - the seed). It is a twofold way of didacticism presentation as the research, analytical (A) and as the cognitive, observational (B).

It's still one form of discourse, however, executed on the following, different layers.

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Next, it is incorporated the next elements of the code, making up the whole - enriching the architecture language. The given picturesque, is characterisation of the elevation tectonic.

Continuous changing allow to see the analogy between living language, as a carrier of cultural heritage, and the language of architecture as a carrier of interactions in space.

There are introduced contextual references. The dialogue with the environment enriches the sets of codes, making the language gradually unique.

Constant presence of the bonding element - the seed in a form of the auditorium - a symbol of dialogue, can focus attention to the centre of composition through each of its parts, without possibilities of missing any aspects.

Seemingly filled and closed structure, still undergoes the transformation – the transparency is assigned in to the physical frame, diffusing both sets of objects (using views, compositional axis, passages, direct transport links).

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2.2 SITE PLAN The site plan reflects the idea of the algorithm and the method of its transpose to the space around the Institute and the Palm House. The space is divided into a more private, serving primarily students and Institute’s employees, limited with the mineralogy trail, as well as the public, outside of it.

The main components are educational paths: - mineralogical / geological – where in a taken along hollow pathway are shown the excerpts outcrops showing the profiles of topsoil, the development of plant roots, rocks. There is also an information system in the form of tables attached to the walls with educational descriptions, as well as descriptions of of the place history and culture of mining (including the clay mining) in the regional scale and national, in Poland. The culmination is the reconstruction of a fragment of the mine’s railway track leading from the clay pit (mine carts).

- Polish flora - a winding trail led through the site around the buildings (close related), depending on the location in the site, it presents different species of plants (protected species, herbs, aquatic, aqueous).

The vegetation composition is designed to shaping the ‘internal’ character of the site. It focuses on five groups - each conducted quietly at the central point (lawns, grasses, groups of shrubs), within the limits of the mineralogical / geological educational paths. Beyond those, it piles up and grows, sinking the objects in a naturalistic landscape and shutting of the traffic arteries. In the footpaths are composed the seats, based on the vegetations forms, investigative and student spaces, and moreover an active recreation spaces.

To complementing the unified perception of the space are composed special parking zones in the form of the small hills. They are covered with rich intensive green roofs, constitute a form of enrichment of the strongly flattened post-industrial land. The communication takes place with the tracts adjusted to the users’ needs (for example, different widths for the fire roads, the fire roads with sidewalks for pedestrians, general and minor roads for pedestrians). Entry into the plot is done with the newly designed road - away from the Fordonska street. Due to the flow ability of the fire road throughout the area, it was not necessary to determine any manoeuvring yard (in spite of this fact, it is determined space – the lawns, to organize special operations). The whole is completed with the necessary infrastructure that streamlines the activities of the Institute and the Palm House (a place for waste, to compost, farming areas, agricultural researches, etc.).

THE SITE PLAN BALANCE 88 267 m2 - 8,83 ha

PLOT AREA COMUNICATION AREA Including: PARKINGS VEGETATION AREA /INCLUDING EXTENSIVE GREEN ROOFS ABOVE PARKINGS/ CONTRIBUTION OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE AREA Including: GREEN ROOF CLAY PITS SHALLOW WATER POND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE AREA OF THE PALM HOUSE FLOOR AREA RATIO

11 249 m2 8 437 m2 63 128 m2 79% 1428 m2 2875 m2 2146 m2 6091 m2 0,21

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Fig. [35]. The site plan.

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2.3 ARCHITECTURE THE ROLE OF A SKETCH AS A MEDIUM OF NONVERBAL VALUES The sketch in a design process of the university space is an invaluable carrier in analysis. Making a research with the help of characters - lines, stains, marks, develops the process of enriching the language of architecture, in the case of the Institute and the Palm House. The observation of development from a preliminary outline to an advanced architectural drawing, demonstrates the power of evolution of the code contained in the proposed architectural solutions.

1. STARTING POINT The result of the use of the algorithm in the diagram, provides a starting point for applying discovered language form - the content, needs, solutions and applications.

2. THE PATH Taming the language of forms. Designate of shapes and directions in a primary way, having regard to axis assumed for the concept, functional program, the intentions of users, efficient operation.

3. DECODE Read the forms, giving them a proper tone, appearance, cut in a general way.

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4. PROGRAMMING The assignation to the identified form the content of the program - shape, content, purpose, matched scales, volume.

5. FORMATION The assignation of physical features to decoded and programmed space.

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Formation takes place also at the level of the area. Through the use of a range of solutions, produced structure seems as an organism, intelligently serving to the object users.

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Fig. [36]. The entrance to the Palm House.

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Fig. [37]. The Research Institute – view from the east.

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ELEVATION AS THE RECORD OF PLACE HISTORY Place has a strong heritage as a result of the clay mine running there in the 19th and 20th century for a nearby brick factory. The impact of genius loci, in this case is undeniably useful, because of the need to expose of the history in the project. The best field for this action is the elevation - which is like a canvas, a carrier of the picturesque – the metaphorical statement of naturalised post-industrial site and a beautiful of ceramic products in their most basic form, the brick. The facade was composed of various types of ceramics - the basic brick, a brick in the wall combined with stone, ceramic glazed brick, hollow bricks and bricks straps in the dual system (horizontal and vertical). Above this elevation was used concrete formwork caring a horizontal draw - fragmentary, as a mark of ashes, recalling the burning process of bricks.

Fig. [38]. The Fordon brickyard and its products.

The glass on the elevations was used as a medium for maintaining the transparency and utility of objects (glass facades at the Palm House). This mutual interpenetration, maintaining of views, mutual sense of both objects at once, is a factor which influencing the perception. In turn, the intentional placement of the glass elevation on the east and west sides of the Institute, is intended to impact on the students life, use of the object itself, but also for the maintenance of the vegetation inside (the most efficient illumination of the interior).

The wood has been used as a material in the construction of roofs (glued laminated timber), the windows joinery, and in the utmost as a material facade of the auditorium – the seed.

Some accents are complementary to the elevation, e.g. window shutters in the form of highly perforated sheets of corten, veneer the elevation (a form of raster).

2.4 INTERIORS The interiors character was dictated by the harmonious accord between the adjustment to the function and its usefulness. They are designed by the needs of the user, while maintaining the comfort and harmonious relationship with the whole building. Aesthetic, bright and modern spaces make the world of science transparent - permeating through the halls, the workrooms (use there the partially glazing, limited the view in to the workrooms and laboratories with the form of roller blinds). Variable arrangement of glass and opaque, full walls covered with white plaster, adds the concentrated mood (white background of activities, where the students are the ‘colours’). The university space saturated with a scientific style will have a big impact on the perception of its users (adapting behaviours, individual style, usage of space). The special microclimate is strengthened with chosen lighting - mostly natural, enhanced with artificial in the deeper parts of the halls. The ceilings are made as a white ascetic tract, complementary the modest look of the interior. Floor coverings are designed according to the usage (different in physical laboratories, the other in analytical and chemical, etc.), made of granite, wood, plastic, what enhance visual recall, safety and comfort of the space.

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Fig. [39]. Main hall in the Institute.

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Fig. [40]. The auditorium – the Seed – view from the Palm House.

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In addition, the mood of the interior is built by wooden elements in the form of seats, wooden railings, covering of the auditorium. The result is to be extremely clear, unlimited space, symbolizing the search, analysis, science, the strength of the human mind in the space, while keeping the harmony and well-being of all students and employees. Wood has to tame, to soften the sharp, neutral structure.

The interiors of the Palm House are composed zones in accordance with planned vegetation regions representations. On the ground floor are located seven segments. The first one – I – acts as the entrance and administrative – technical zone). The remaining six concerns: – II – the rainforest - the zone with water ponds (water vegetation), green walls (creepers, vines), artificial hill covered with rainforest representation, vegetation characteristic for the zone and the information point; there is also located a service (shop - bookstore / florist); here are possible to enter on the second floor (terrace with family zone and pedestrian bridge suspended in the palm house roof construction at height of 6,6 m above the ground) and to the underground level (representation of minerals and geological artefacts in the form of a cave); – III – the tropical and subtropical flora - part of the palm house integrated with the zone II, with a similar nature (the hill spreads on both zones); there are also a water reservoir (to keep the high level of humidity in both zones), a group of characteristic vegetation; – IV – the subtropics and Mediterranean flora - in this part is located an observation tower (with stairs and a lift) with an observation terraces situated on a height. 6.6 m (coordinated with pedestrian bridge) and 19.8 m above the ground; construction is covered with climbing and hanging plants (resemblance to the baobab tree) with fountains atomizing the mist, what show the water cycle in most simple way; here have a place some small water reservoirs beside the tower and groups of vegetation; – V – the steppe and semi-arid flora – a part located on the south side of the Palm House (highest sunlight exposition) on raising ground (elevated at the height 1.35 m) with a rocky, sandy character and typical vegetation to the zone; around the perimeter of this part, with a mild slope came down to the ground the observation footbridge of Palm House, – VI – the mountainous region flora (altitudinal zonation of Tatra mountains) - with an amphitheatre and a space for multimedia presentations with projection screen (in the form of a petal) where ends the guided tours; therefore it is possible to access on the second floor (terrace) and on the underground level (cave); – VII – the Japanese garden – a part mildly elevated at the height 1.35 m, traditional composed Japanese garden with small architectural elements (sculptures, the tea ceremony tent), vegetation typical to the zone and culture (compositions of plants).

Furthermore, in the Palm House on the second floor was located a family meadow composed as a space for active recreation for visitors of the object. There were placed a space for children with characterised floor cover (shape of fish) with a small water reservoir with miniature carps; near to that, there are cafe and bar with a different, wooden floor. Two parts are additionally formed – the reconstruction of forest undergrowth of the Bialowieza Forest (northern part of meadow) and the heath (southern part). From the terrace there is a possibility to go directly to the footbridge suspended at a height of 6,6 m, used for observation of the natural world from another dimension. Bridge is made of steel elements, stiffened, suspended by steel guy wires attached to the supporting structure of the Palm House. It is connected to the hill in zone II and III and to the observation tower in zone IV. Descent from the bridge is located in zone V and is a gently sloping ramp.

The intermingling of accents of Polish flora and of various regions of the world, is to visualize the local nature, as an equal component of the rich world's natural heritage.

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Fig. [41]. The Palm House – view from 45west. causeway between clay pits, from the

Fig. [42]. The interior of the Palm House. II zone with the hill.

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2.5 FUNCTIONAL AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION The project includes two units – the Research Institute and the Palm House. The main entrance to the objects are located on the axis east-west, parallel to the axis of composition. Other entrances to the objects are technical and evacuation use (designed for employees and to support fire protection).

GENERAL TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION - BASIC INFORMATION: WIDTH OF THE BUILDING /between the most extreme walls/ INSTITUTE: PALM HOUSE:

40,00 m 55,30 m

INSTITUTE: PALM HOUSE:

86,60 m 168,40 m

ABOVE THE SURFACE - INSTITUTE: ABOVE THE SURFACE - PALM HOUSE: UNDERGROUND /common/:

5 2 1

LENGHT OF THE BUILDING /between the most extreme walls/

NUMBER OF STOREYS

HEIGHT OF THE BUILDING /in the highest point/ INSTITUTE: PALM HOUSE: THE BUILDING AREA

22,50 m 39,00 m 9401 m2

THE USABLE AREA

18 242 m2

TOTAL AREA

18 502 m2

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FUNCTIONAL AND SPATIAL LAYOUT

Fig. [43]. Research Institute – I floor.

Fig. [44]. Research Institute – II floor.

EXPLANATION OF HATCHES

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Fig. [45]. Research Institute – III floor.

Fig. [46]. Research Institute – IV floor.

Fig. [47]. Research Institute – V floor.

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Fig. [48]. Research Institute & Palm House – common underground floor.

EXPLANATION OF HATCHES

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Fig. [49]. The Palm House – view from farm fields, from51 the south.

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EXPLANATION OF HATCHES Fig. [50]. Palm House – I floor.

Fig. [51]. Palm House – II floor.

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Fig. [52]. Research Institute & Palm House – aerial view from north-east.

Fig. [53]. Research Institute & Palm House – aerial view from north-west.

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3.1 ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY SOLUTIONS The main university space has to act as an interdependence, the integrity of many factors. There have been used extensive green roofs – the terraces, enriching the object microclimate. They cares not only a recreational function (lower terrace), but also research - horticultural spaces on the roof, where are the fields for cultivation of crop plants for research and experiments.

In a separate manner there were treated a space with two gardens on the ground floor of the Institute. They were composed as specialized cultivation zones, using experimental methods, such a lighting the deep interior with polycarbonate mirrors for the improve the growth of the plants.

Moreover, circulating air gives a special microclimate, which is improving the plant cultivation on the top floor (hall and workrooms).

Fig. [54]. Air circulation in the gardens on the ground floor of the Institute (the ‘living’ laboratories).

Fig. [55]. The scheme of the green interior lighting using the polycarbonate mirrors.

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In the Palm House has been planned an installation of photovoltaic panels in place of parts of wall glass panels and glazed roof surface. Energy acquired in this way is used to illuminate the Palm House. Ecological expression of the object is underlined also by the use of rainwater drainage system, recovering rainwater. The rainwater collected from the roof surface, is carried with downpipes to the collectors placed on the lower roofs of the Palm House (ones with a special reinforced structure). The water supports water supply system used to spray the plants.

Fig. [56]. Scheme of the water circulation in the Palm House.

3.2 ACCESSIBILITY FOR DISABLED A special priority in the design of the Institute and the Palm House and their functioning, was the purpose to the design without barriers. Hence a lot of facilitation of people circulation, e.g. ground floor is at the same level as the sidewalk. In shaping the surfaces and floors it was necessary to eliminate the barriers of height, hence the lifts, in addition in the Palm House the entrance to the footbridge was designed as smooth path climbing on the artificial hill, then come down from the footbridge in the form of a descending ramp. Access to each floor is possible with staircases and adapted for the disabled needs lifts. At the first and last step of staircases are placed textural warning labels on floors. Also the sanitary facilities have toilets specially adapted for people with disabilities. Within the Palm House are installed the multimedia information boards and tactile models of plants.

In the car parks are specified parking places for the disabled, located as near as possible to the main outputs.

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3.3 CONSTRUCTION ISSUES

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Fig. [57]. Section A-A through the Research Institute and the Palm House. Presentation of mutual relation and scale.

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Fig. [58]. Construction solution of the auditorium wall.

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Fig. [59]. Construction solution of the Research Institute walls – from the roof construction to the foundation.

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Fig. [60], [61]. Plan and section of the Palm House.

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Fig. [62]. The Palm House – section with view on the footbridge and the observation tower.

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Fig. [63]. The Research Institute and the Palm House – the model from the north.

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Fig. [64], [65]. The Research Institute – east and west elevations.

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Fig. [66], [67]. The Research Institute – north and south elevations.

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Fig. [68], [69]. The Palm House – east and west elevations.

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Fig. [70], [71]. The Palm House – north and south elevations.

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4.1 CONCLUSIONS Architecture of an university space should provide an answer for a number of purposes. Not only the obvious – didactic function, but also to fulfil necessary the contemporary multidimensional character of action - the need to object maintain itself, customization for each user, use of the potential of the place, its heritage, and cooperation with the environment. The space was based on the common relations of the environment and the object what reinforces its impact in a scale of the city, the region. In the project of the Research Institute is visible the reference to the post-industrial history of the site, next to the history and academic culture of the University of Technology and Life Sciences (and its preceding units) or more broadly, the idea of an ancient schools culture run under the open sky.

Awareness of cognitive behaviour guiding the user in line with the elements that shaping the image of the space (architectural and urban), becomes the key to the algorithm, contributing to read the correct code, based on which language of architecture is created. A number of assumptions, analysis, exploration, results in a multitude of solutions that are unified around a focal point - multidimensional idea concerning not only the physical dimension (the auditorium as a symbol of dialogue, didactic culture), but also the function (the science itself, teaching, researches), its program, activities, common relationships. The integration of the space in all these aspects gives the impression of its intelligent character - thinking object. Collaboration of space and the users (like at the example of the ‘living’ laboratories in the gardens on the ground floor of the Institute, or of the educational trails in direct surroundings) constitute the activation of the student space.

Life of a modern university space is above all the collaboration. Adjust of the scale of objects to the character and size of the city, space, university campus has the importance of creating the relationships – the reciprocity. The main purpose is not to dominate all over the space, but to tame it, interpenetrate it, making it conducive to the users and features, and utmost – timeless and free.

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LITERATURE Legislation: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Ustawa z dnia 7 lipca 1994 r. Prawo budowlane.

Dz. U. 2002 nr 75 poz. 690 Rozporządzenie Ministra Infrastruktury z dnia 12 kwietnia 2002 r. w sprawie warunków technicznych, jakim powinny odpowiadać budynki i ich usytuowanie.

Ustawa z dnia 27 marca 2003r. O planowaniu i zagospodarowaniu przestrzennym. (Dz. U. z 2003r. nr 80 poz. 717, z późniejszymi zmianami).

Rozporządzenie Ministra Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji z dnia 24 lipca 2009 r. w sprawie przeciwpożarowego zaopatrzenia w wodę oraz dróg pożarowych (Dz. U. z 2009 roku Nr 124, poz.

1030).

Rozporządzenie Ministra Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji z dnia 7 czerwca 2010 r. w sprawie ochrony przeciwpożarowej budynków, innych obiektów budowlanych i terenów (Dz. U. z 2010 roku Nr 109, poz. 719).

Obwieszczenie Ministra Gospodarki, Pracy i Polityki Socjalnej z dnia 28 sierpnia 2003 r. w sprawie ogłoszenia jednolitego tekstu rozporządzenia Ministra Pracy i Polityki Socjalnej w sprawie ogólnych przepisów bezpieczeństwa i higieny pracy (Dz. U. z 2003 roku Nr 169, poz. 1649 i 1650 ze zmianami), szczeg. zał. nr 3.

Design theory: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

Biskup Marian, Historia Bydgoszczy, Tom 1, PWN, Warszawa - Poznań 1991 Chwieduk Dorota, Energetyka słoneczna budynku, Arkady, Warszawa 2011 Jencks Charles, Kropf Karl, Teorie i manifesty architektury współczesnej, wyd. Grupa Sztuka Architektury, Warszawa 2013 Jodidio Philip, GREEN Architecture Now!, Taschen, Cologne 2009 Jodidio Philip, WOOD Architecture Now!, Taschen, Cologne 2011 Lynch Kevin, The image of the city, Cambridge, Massachusetts 1960 Kuczma Rajmund, Zieleń w dawnej Bydgoszczy, Instytut Wydawniczy „Świadectwo”, Bydgoszcz 1995 Markiewicz Przemysław, Detale projektowe dla architektów, Archi – plus, Warszawa 2010 Markiewicz Przemysław, Projektowanie budynków halowych, Archi – plus, Warszawa 2006 Markiewicz Przemysław, Bojęś Andrzej, Przeszklone ściany osłonowe, Archi – plus, Warszawa 2008 Neufert Ernst, Podręcznik projektowania architektoniczno - budowlanego, Arkady, Warszawa 2010 Pallasmaa Juhani, Oczy skóry - architektura i zmysły, Instytut Architektury, Kraków 2012 Serrats Marta, EcoSolutions: Sustainable Approaches for a Bioclimatic Home, Frechmann Kolon GmbH, Barcelona 2012 Wejchert Kazimierz, Elementy kompozycji urbanistycznej, Arkady, Warszawa 1984 Zamora Mola Francesc, Atlas współczesnej architektury miejskiej, TMC, New York 2013 Zumthor Peter, Myślenie architekturą, Karakter, Kraków 2010

Designing: 1.

Fortuna-Antoszkiewicz Beata, Gadomska Edyta, Gadomski Krzysztof, Urządzanie i pielęgnacja terenów zieleni cz. III, Hortpress, Warszawa 2007 2. Guzik Anna, Guzik Jan, Wodociągi i kanalizacja zewnętrzna, Wyd. KaBe, Krosno 2011 3. Jamroży Zygmunt, Beton i jego technologie, PWN, Warszawa 2009 4. Mielczarek Zbigniew, Budownictwo Drewniane, Arkady, Warszawa 1994 5. Natka Marian B., Wentylacja z elementami klimatyzacji, Politechnika Śląska 2011 6. Materials in Architecture: Concrete, Glass, Steel, Stone, Wood, Gingko Press Incorporated Berkeley, CA 2012 7. Osiecka Ewa, Materiały Budowlane. Kamień - Ceramika - Szkło, Wyd. Politechniki Warszawskiej, Warszawa 2003 8. Pełech Aleksander, Wentylacja i klimatyzacja - podstawy, Wyd. Politechniki Wrocławskiej, Wrocław 2011 9. Pyrak Stefan, Konstrukcje z betonu. Konstrukcje budowlane 5, WSIP, Warszawa 2004 10. Ryńska Elżbieta D., Bioklimatyka a forma architektoniczna, Wyd. Politechniki Warszawskiej, Warszawa 2001

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11. Szajda-Birnfeld Ewelina, Pływaczyk Anna, Skarżyński Daniel, Zielone dachy. Zrównoważona gospodarka wodna na terenach zurbanizowanych, Wyd. Uniwersytetu Przyrodniczego we Wrocławiu, Wrocław 2013 12. Taczewski Tomasz, Architektura Szkoły Wyższej, Wydawnictwo Politechniki Śląskiej, Gliwice 2009 13. Wala Ewa, Szkło we współczesnej architekturze, Wyd. Politechniki Śląskiej, Gliwice 2012 14. Zielonko-Jung Katarzyna, Marchwiński Janusz, Łączenie zaawansowanych i tradycyjnych technologii w architekturze proekologicznej, Wyd. Politechniki Warszawskiej, Warszawa 2012

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