PRESIDENT PLANTS TREE IN GERMAN-POLISH GARDENS
During Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender’s visit to Poland, the Federal President planted a hornbeam (Carpinus betulus “Fastigiata”) in the German-Polish Gardens on Wedel Avenue as a symbolic opening of the park’s second revitalisation phase. Photos 1–3, 5: © Adam Burakowski Photo 4: © Natalia Kobza
GREEN CITY
As part of the Festival of Gardens, on September 10 at 3:30 p.m. we invite you to the grand opening of the plant installation “Gardens on the Steps” at the National Museum in Warsaw. Plant installations on staccato-like platforms scattered on the steps of the monumental courtyard space of the National Museum are the “Green WOW!” of the Garden Festival. “Gardens on the steps” for a while become a place of close encounters, a “green” island of backstage conversations after visiting exhibitions or before entering the museum. Who will notice the lack of water in the pool? We will plant the garden together! The celebration will be enhanced by a violin performance by Marzena Hodyr and Szymon Telecki. During the opening, we invite you to enjoy conversation over a glass of wine, as well as a walk through the museum’s collections on the topic: “How much GREEN is in GREEN?”.
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.
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.
X. INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL OF ARCHITECTURE IN VENICE
In 2004 we as an office had the honor to represent Poland at the ninth International Architecture Biennale in Venice. Our project “Park and Cultural Pavilion, Theater Island in Gubin” was presented during the event. In cooperation with Jürgen Mayer H. we created the concept for the project in the form of a film and a model. This representation embodied the connection of architecture and nature as well as the creative vision.