Pottery-Inspired Design Wins Competition for Multifunction Building in Poland

Courtesy of Bakpak Architects and EovaStudio

Bakpak Architects and EovaStudio have won a competition to design a multifunctional building in Rzeszow, Poland. The design—called The Pottery Courtyard—is based upon the local tradition of ceramic artisans, thus restoring a sense of heritage to the region and city.

From the outside, the building follows the sharp edges of the surrounding streets, creating a compact shape aligned with the local urban development. Conversely, the inner portion of the building is comprised of a rounded, blue courtyard—“The Pottery Courtyard”— which tapers and “opposes the external geometry of the streets.”

While providing good lighting and ventilation, the courtyard additionally connects back to the concept of ceramics in its resemblance of a potter’s wheel. Similarly, the potter’s wheel served as inspiration for the building’s appearance, which appears as though it has been cut, carved, and turned on a potter’s wheel.

As a public space, The Pottery Courtyard is entirely pedestrian, and directly communicates with the local Old Market with a large, open entrance to facilitate the flow of people from Market Square.

“The proposed building is seven floors above ground level and has three floors underground, [with] commercial areas in the basement and ground floor, [a] hotel along the three first floors, and housing and [a] social club with a restaurant” for the remaining floors.