– What was the inspiration for your project awarded in the competition?
The situation during the lockdown in 2020 was an inspiration to create the idea of a forest #asylum. We have noticed the advantages of having a place outside of your permanent place of the house. #Asylum is a place where you can take refuge and spend time only with your loved ones. In the context of a pandemic, this is a luxury whose value has increased. We submitted the project to TDA 2020. #asylum responds to the slogans of the competition: #nature #future #freedom. In the context of a pandemic, the project gives freedom in times of inability to travel. #Asylum relates to nature and is an attempt to adapt to the new rules of isolation in social life. Many of us started working, so in our project, we included the possibility of working in this mode.
– What values does this space provide?
In the case of a high-value natural landscape, an appropriate relationship with the environment is essential. The form of an object is determined by the topography on which it was designed. The whole structure is significantly raised in relation to the ground level, and a natural slope is partially supported. Vertically shaped buildings can be built on a small plot of land. The design assumption was to interfere with the natural shaping of the shore of the reservoir as little as possible. At the same time, the erection of the object above the ground level provides protection against flooding. The used finishing materials provide a neutral background for the surroundings.
In the presentation of the project, we aimed to present the genesis of the Cielo e terra collection by the connection between heaven and earth. The blue, calm, cool interior in the shade of the Blu mat, allows you to feel the atmosphere of peace and harmony with the surrounding nature. The balanced color of Marrone Mat used on the façade creates a background for a beautiful natural forest landscape. These types of finishing materials are also durable and do not need complicated care to properly cope with the effects of time and weather conditions.
The presented design procedures were aimed at creating an object that lives in symbiosis with its surrounding.
– What is designing such objects for you? What are the emotions?
There is always excitement when you start working on a new project. We start from the context of the existing space and information about its users. Then we draw guidelines about the function and form of the object. These are the basics on which we try to develop our concepts each time. We try to look for inspiration and good examples of contemporary design. We do not want to follow trends and fashion without reflection. This is important for us to design current and timeless things. We follow the principle that architecture is the co-creation of space, which is why it is important for what place and for whom we design.
– Who is this space dedicated to (family, individual investor, couple, etc.)?
Two people will use the space in the most comfortable way. The basic elements necessary for functioning are designed. There is a bathroom, a place to prepare meals, a bedroom and a place to work.The key to the layout is the vertical distribution of functions on the mezzanine. The whole can be freely arranged, depending on the users’ needs. Nothing prevents you from creating extra sleeping places in the space intended for work. The space becomes functional for more people and allows you to organize a short-term rest.
–Winning the TDA2020 Grand Prix is associated with the possibility of departure. In this edition, according to the #freedom slogan, you were able to choose the destination. What destination did you choose Abu Dhabi or Iceland?
The decision was not easy, because both destinations are tempting. Iceland is close to our heart because we already had the opportunity to design the concept there. It was a design of the volcano museum near the Hverfjall volcano. We took part in the International Architecture Competition for the Iceland Volcano Museum project in cooperation with Michał Gawron. We won an award.
We had a lot of fun working on this competition, so we will visit Iceland one day. Meanwhile, we will visit Abu Dhabi with Tubądzin, which we are looking forward to. 🙂
The idea to create a forrest “oasis” was inspired by the current situation, related to the worldwide pandemic. Everybody realized the value of owning a place away from home, in which one could find shelter and isolation together with the closest family members.
We designed a self sustaining unit with a bathroom, a place for food preparation, a bedroom and a place to work. Each of the functions is located on a separate mezzanine, all with a view of the lake and surroundings. The arrangement is entirely up to the needs of the users.
We decided on using full colour body tiles in the colours of Marrone Mat and Blue Mat from the Cielo e Terra collection. Large format Marrone tiles on the façade of the building subtly relate to the colours of the surroundings. The building is shaped vertically, which is additionally underlined by the way the tiles are installed on the façade. The entire structure is way above ground and perfectly matches the shape of the terrain. The light wooden structure rests on a floor that distributes the weight to the abutments as well as a concrete shaft with vertical communication. Under the terrace there is a parking space with an charging station for electric cars.
The interior was designed monochromatically. For the walls and floors we used tiles in the Blu Mat shade. All accessories were chosen to match the colour of the tiles, so as to create a monochromatic impression of the space in which texture and shapes are key.
In the presentation of the project we tried to encapture the genesis of the Cielo e Terra collection, like connecting sky and earth. The calm cool blue shade allow for the feeling of a quiet and harmonic atmosphere. The balance Marrone colour creates an ideal background for the natural forrest landscape.
Marta Sowińska-Gąska – architect. In 2017 she graduated with honors from the Poznań Polytechnic – Architecture. Her final project, for the Pediatric Hospital, was nominated for an award by the city of Poznań. She is a winner of many competitions, including the International Velux Award 2016: Daylight in buildings in Eastern Europe & Middle East and the Young Architect Builder 2016: concept project of arranging the Narutowicz square in Łuków. She has been working as an architect since 2014. In 2018 she co-created Gąska Studio.
Łukasz Gąska – architect. In 2017 he graduated with honors from the Poznań Polytechnic – Architecture. His final project was nominated for the Young Talent Architecture Award 2018 from the Mies van der Rohe foundation. He is the winner of many competitions, such as the International Velux Award 2016: Daylight in buildings in Eastern Europe & Middle East and the Young Architect Builder 2016: concept project of arranging the city center of the city of Gniezno. In 2018 he won the Grand Prix Tubądzin Design Award. He has been working as an architect since 2014. In 2018 he co-created Gąska Studio.