WRA IV
The fourth session of the Warsaw Architecture Talks focused on the Polish rental housing market and the introduction of a rental housing fund by the Polish government. It was discussed how affordable and high quality architecture can be realized in rental housing and which social and architectural aspects are important. The importance of socially mixed neighborhoods and the role of urban gardens in urban development were also addressed. SARP Oddział Warszawski was a partner of the event, supported by Fundacja Współpracy Polsko-Niemieckiej, PUCZYŃSKI — mała architektura and RINN. ARCHITEKTURA-MURATOR acted as a media partner. The speakers at this conference were Andrzej Klimczuk (sociologist, Warsaw), Tomasz Fudala (Muzeum Sztuki Nowoczesnej, Warsaw), Rainer Hofmann (bogevischs buero, Munich), Susanne Schnorbusch (architect, Berlin), Dr. Michael Ludwig (City Councillor for Housing, Housing Construction and Urban Renewal, Vienna) and Christoph Roedig (roedig. schop architekten, Berlin). Venue: Pavilion SARP (Association of Polish Architects), ul. Foksal 2, WarsawNumber of participants: 110Date: 28.11.2014
WRA III
The third conference of the Warsaw Architecture Talks deals with demographic change and its impact on urban development. The focus is on new housing models for older people and architectural adaptation to their needs. European examples serve as inspiration. A field trip to senior living at the Alzheimer’s Center in Warsaw will be supported by Director Jarosław Gnioska and architect Miłosz Romanczuk (Kulczyński Architects). Renowned speakers, including architect Jörg Pötting, landscape architect Joerg Th. Coqui, managing director Krzysztof Lasoń, managing directorJadwiga Dąbrowska and architect Dan Schürch will shed light on the topic. The conference is supported by SARP Oddział Warszawski and accompanied by PUCZYŃSKI — mała architektura, POZBRUK, CERMAG and ARCHITEKTURA-MURATOR. Venue: German Embassy in WarsawNumber of participants: 110Date: 13.06.2014
WRA II
Concept, content preparation, organization and moderation of the international conference within the Warsaw Architecture Talks and organization of the excursion on the topic of NEW LIVING QUARTERS IN WARSAW — “19 Dzielnica” with kind support Marcin Citko from JEMS Architekci. Lecturers:Rafal Schurma (President, Polish Green Building Council)Markus Penell (Managing Partner, O&O Baukunst)Guest Prof. Nicole Pfoser (Architect, Master of Landscape Architecture, HfWU Nürtingen) Thomas Fabian (Deputy Director, City Planning Office, City of Freiburg im Breisgau) Zbigniew Macków (Macków Pracownia Projektowa, coordinator of the project) Organizer: COQUI MALACHOWSKA COQUI Urban Planning Landscape Architecture, Foundation of Architects (Fundacja Twórców Architektury)Support: German Embassy, Foundation of German-Polish Cooperation Venue: German Embassy in WarsawNumber of participants: 110Date: 29.11.2013
WRA I
In Europe, large housing developments have been evolving for decades. Strategies vary by time and place: from building insulation to living environment improvements to urban redevelopment programs. Yet these measures have not always led to the prevention of resident displacement and demolitions. After 2000, increased reflection followed, also after subsidy programs. Are there similar processes in Poland or is the structure different there? Germany offers positive experiences and recognized mistakes in modernization concepts that are instructive in dealing with the structural heritage of large housing estates. Poland is home to the largest proportion of European residents of large housing estates. After energy-efficient refurbishment, further steps need to be taken. But which ones? What will develop sustainably in large housing estates in 10, 20 or 30 years? Best strategies and procedures as well as differences and comparabilities between countries are of interest. Which developments can be implemented in the Polish market? What can the West learn from Poland?
ENTENTE FLORALE
In cooperation with the local administration and the Schlossstraße management, we conducted workshops to develop the concept for the public space in the Schlossstraße neighborhood. The preparation for the participation in the federal competition “Entente Florale” included measures for environmental protection and nature conservation in populated areas, increasing the attractiveness of the residential and living environment, promoting trade and commerce through diverse and lively city centers as well as civic engagement and increasing the attractiveness for tourists. In the period from May to September 2011, a total of 60 projects were developed, including construction measures, civic engagement, educational events and public events that created partner collaborations. The realization of these projects covered the period from March to October 2012, as well as repeatedly in future years.
II. REGIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE EWE
Within the framework of the II Regional Conference of EWE in the Lubusz region, which deals with “Energy Efficiency Solutions for Private Households”, our office participated in the “Workshop EWE” in October 2011. In cooperation with the client EWE energia sp. z o.o. and the Young Polish International Network (YPIN) we conducted expert presentations on “Green Architecture”. In Zielona Góra, Poland, we gave presentations on various key topics. These included the challenges of urban densification, effective stormwater management methods, and energy conservation strategies. We also shed light on the concept of the “Plus Energy House,” where buildings produce energy instead of just consuming it. During the workshop, we shared international experiences and transferred findings to the Polish context. We emphasized potentials and solutions for energy efficiency and focused on realistic approaches.
SYMPOSIUM STRATEGIES FOR A EUROPEAN CITY
In 2008, together with our office in Warsaw, we initiated an international symposium with the theme “Public Space — Barcelona, Seville, Lyon, Kraków, Warszawa — Strategies for an European City”. The main objective of the event was to discuss strategies and concepts for the design of public space in European cities. For this purpose, experiences and examples from different cities, including Barcelona, Seville, Lyon, Kraków and Warsaw, were presented and analyzed. The symposium attracted about 150 participants and was held in cooperation with Politechnika Warszawska and IFBau Stuttgart to provide a broad perspective and interdisciplinary exchange. A field trip on “Public Space in Warsaw” was also organized as part of the symposium to provide participants with practical insights into innovative spatial design projects.The 2008 symposium created a platform for professional dialogue and knowledge exchange, providing new impetus for the further development of public space in Warsaw and other European cities.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION OF BIG RIVERS OF THE LEBUSER LAND — PROGRAM LEADER +
In 2006 the office was intensively involved in the design and implementation of a pioneering project for tourism development and economic regeneration in rural areas. The work began with the initiation of a series of workshops, consisting of 8 workshops, which involved both the administration and the residents of five municipalities in the region of the Great River Landscape in the borderland — Cybinka, Słubice, Górzyca, Słońsk and Witnica. In parallel, the office supported the establishment of the ROZWÓJ REGIONU WIELKICH RZEK ZIEMI LUBUSKIEJ Foundation, of which Izabela Malachowska-Coqui has been a board member since 2006. Through successful applications, the project received a total of 965,000 euros in funding from the Leader+ program. Cooperation with the municipality of Górzyca and its committed mayor Robert Stolarski played a key role in the success of this ambitious project. A total of 50 participants took part in the workshop series, whose enthusiasm and commitment made a valuable contribution to the positive development of the region.
“GARDENS OF URBAN REDEVELOPMENT” — RECYCLABLE MATERIAL GARDEN
In 2005, the “Gardens of Urban Redevelopment” project brought a breath of fresh air to Leipzig-Grünau. A highlight of this project was the “Wertstoffgarten” — a one-week workshop, which we conducted in cooperation with cet‑0 and Susanne Schnorbusch and about 20 residents of Brackestraße 50 on the plot. Our focus was on the creative use of forgotten materials from the deconstruction of prefabricated buildings. Each element had the potential to have its own theme or alternative use. A platform of recycled slats served as a stage for the transformation of these materials. Here, art was created from raw materials, and the mini-workshop pulsed with creativity. We created the possibility of transforming the temporary character of the “recyclables garden” into a permanent use if there was interest. Materials and equipment could be given to users for their ideas. The results of the workshop were presented in an exhibition. Selected forms were transformed in real time on site during the workshop, which could be experienced as a performance. These transformed forms were eventually integrated as design elements in the gardens and open spaces of the residential landscape to promote sustainable change.
LOBBYING FOR THE IBA PROJECT IN GUBIN
The office for landscape architecture Coqui Malachowska Coqui carried out successful lobbying for the IBA project “Park and Cultural Pavilion of the Theater Island” in Gubin/Guben from IV to IX 2004. The work included a business trip with Dr. Manfred Stolpe to acquire national funding, during which the project was presented to ministers. In addition, the office prepared an expertise on funding opportunities, including EU and national funding research as well as networking. A Marshall Conference was prepared, organized and moderated in cooperation with the city of Gubin and the mayor’s office to attract further national funding. Finally, the office represented the project at the IX International Architecture Biennale in Venice, providing content preparation, organization and project exhibition, supported by Zacheta — Narodowa Galeria Sztuki and the Gubin Mayor’s Office. Thanks to this extensive lobbying, the IBA project “Park and Cultural Pavilion of the Theater Island” in Gubin/Guben was successfully advanced and received the necessary support for realization.