The Krakow Tenement House

Perceptural Architecture – a concept introduced to the field of architecture for the first time by Bogusław Barnaś – defines the stylistic character of the designed extension of Krakowska Kamienica.

Perceptual Architecture describes a variable architectural style dependent on perspective, that is, on the viewer’s position in relation to the building. From a distant viewpoint, the human eye perceives the extension as distinctly Gothic, with slender, soaring lines; from a closer perspective, it appears as Renaissance arcades; and in immediate proximity, it takes on Baroque forms. Depending on the point of view, the extension may be perceived as an additional storey, a Baroque cornice, or even a dome-like form. In this particular case, the extension seen from Dębnicki Bridge takes on a Gothic character, from the Vistula Boulevards it resembles Renaissance arcades, while from Powiśle Street it transitions into soft, flowing shapes – reminiscences of Baroque ornamentation.

In this way, the architects have achieved a new, dynamic form, defined in multiple ways by human perception. The contemporary form developed through the design process, however, grows out of history and tradition. The composition of the new extended volume derives from the lower storeys, and the window lines flow smoothly into a coffered wooden ceiling. Through a soft, slightly inclined line that refers to Gothic structures and Kraków’s domes, the architects managed to fill the gable walls of the neighbouring townhouses while at the same time minimizing the scale and height of the building as seen from Powiśle Street. Moreover, the structure of the extension gained an exceptional sense of dynamism.

“In the Krakow’s Tenement House under Wawel Castle, the profusion of diverse aesthetic contexts is a deliberate intention. BXB Studio has created a project that, through a contemporary architectural language, expresses reverence for the city’s historical development. It is difficult to resist the impression that we are dealing with something truly unprecedented. Personally, I believe that this modern structure, which to a large extent employs the latest timber technologies, even emphasizes its kinship with the Sigismund Chapel, which at the time of its creation possessed a distinctly innovative and futuristic character within the city’s architectural landscape. Bogusław Barnaś’s concept is a work that, due to its pioneering nature, as well as the technologies employed, its perspective, and its profound awareness of the continuity of the city’s development, may well follow in the footsteps of the famous funerary chapel and become a new architectural gem of the city. Furthermore, it may redirect the way we think about the revitalization of historic townhouses onto an entirely new path” – Filip Maciejowski, art and architecture critic, Oslo.

International Awards and Distinctions for The Krakow Tenement House Project:

1. The Krakow Tenement project was recognized as the world’s best hotel project in 2023, receiving the prestigious The PLAN Award. The project was selected from among several hundred outstanding hotel projects nominated for the prize.
   The jury consisted of renowned architects, critics, and professors of architecture, including Michael Webb – architecture critic and author of 25 books on architecture; Yehuda Safran – world-renowned architecture critic and Professor at Pratt Institute; Valerio Paolo Mosco – architecture critic and author of several architectural publications; Raymund Ryan – Curator at the Heinz Architectural Center; and Zhang Xiaochun – Professor at Tongji University and Editor-in-Chief of Heritage Architecture.
2. The project won the international ACD AWARDS 2022 competition – as the only project worldwide to receive the distinction in the Hospitality (Concept) category.
   The jury featured respected professionals from across the globe, including Antoine Chaaya, Partner and Director at Renzo Piano Building Workshop (Italy); Dr. Ferdinand Oswald, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Auckland; Julien De Smedt, Director at JDS Architects (Denmark); James Whitaker, Director at Whitaker Studio (UK); and Sandy Attia, Professor at Milan Polytechnic University.
3. The Krakow Tenement received the Third Prize in the A’ Design Award and Competition 2023.
4. The project was honored in the Architecture Master Prize 2023 competition in the Conceptual Architecture category.
5. The Krakow’s Tenement House under Wawel Castle was listed among the 20 best projects in the world according to the London International Creative Competition – Finalist 2023.

History of the Tenement House 

In 1930, the tenement house had a top highest floor added, which was lower than the existing one, probably intended for local fishermen and workers. As a result of reconstruction, it lost all of its glory. Decorations were removed, the brick was covered with plaster, and the proportions were disturbed. The building lost its beauty, which had been refined by the creators of the original project. In the following years, tenement houses in different architectural styles as well as in completely different scale were built in the frontage of Powiśle Street.

We decided to restore the original splendor and beautiful proportions of the designed tenement house, using design measures appropriate to the current times, the context of the place, and the achievements of modern technology. The revitalization involves restoration of the original brick and historical decorations and removal of the top floor, which was carelessly built-up in later years. Thanks to this the tenement house will regain its original proportions and character from 1900.

However, after restoring its original condition, the historical tenement house does not fit so well into the present-day frontage of Powiśle Street. Neighboring tenement houses overwhelm it and create unattractive, disproportionate massive gable walls, which is why we propose an innovative structure.

Historical context in the modern superstructure

The structure of the building defines an innovative structure that grows out of the historical DNA of the place. We aim to find motives typical for Krakow, we are inspired by local architecture – the Wawel Royal Castle, a multitude of styles, Gothic, Krakow domes, Renaissance cloisters and Modernism.

We use the most modern and enviromenmetally friendly technology – CLT glued timber construction, which will minimize the construction loads on the historical substance, as well as transfer a significant part of the work from the construction site to the factory where precise prefabricated elements will be produced.

“The Krakow Tenement House near the Wawel Royal Castle defines a completely new quality of the Vistula embankments. This building is extremely innovative and very Krakow-like at the same time. It has a dynamic and variable style depending on the observer’s location, which directly refers to the context of the place – the Wawel Royal Castle and the architecture of the Old Town. It takes advantage of the technological potential of our times, but at the same time it is durable and timeless since it is rooted in tradition. We strongly believe in BXB studio that this is the factor which makes it something more than just another modern building.” Bogusław Barnaś

Chambers

The front elevation of the building creates an interior of Krakow’s contemporary chambers – probably the most attractive hotel rooms in the city, due to the location, view, character of the interior, as well as unique and pioneering elegance of the designed structure. This structure framework flows smoothly from the facade into a coffered wooden ceiling that decorates hotel rooms. These beautiful wooden ceilings continue the character of historical Krakow interiors.

Rooftop terrace

The roof of our structure becomes a usable terrace, another city lounge, a viewing point for tourists or a place to spend time outdoors. The architecture of the so-called fifth facade, i.e. the roof, has high aesthetical values and is consistent with the construction of the main structure.