Sumit Singhal Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.
LUBLIN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARK in Poland by STELMACH I PARTNERZY Architectural Office
April 16th, 2015 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: STELMACH I PARTNERZY Architectural Office
1. HISTORY
The building of Lublin Science and Technology Park was made on the basis on the project selected in the open architectural design competition organized in 2003 by the investor – Lublin Voivodship. Each of the five modules was constructed in other time and was financed from other funds (Lublin Voivodship, EU) and constructed by other contractor.
2. LOCALIZATION
The Park is situated at the perimeter of Śródmieście (central district) in the vicinity of industrial buildings and the area of future special economic zone with planned economic development facilities and innovation, exploration and development facilities.
The whole area of special economic zone under care of higher education facilities of Lublin covers about 10 ha. The building is situated on the traverse side of this area. It is partly open to the area of the future park.
3. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
The building of Lublin Science and Technology Park was built in the empty area without any context. Its plan and shape was subordinated to the future spatial relations with the Science and Technology Park and special economic zone. Individual modules constructed across the slope create one functional body with the entrance in the centre. The topography of the land makes the entrance square a perfect place to stage exhibitions for the time of fairs or celebrations.
On the other side of the building, in the reception hall there is another exhibition space open for the park. Because of natural topography of the land – the slope declining to the north and the relations with the future Science and Technology Park, two-storey modules were constructed under one-storey ones with entrance module in the middle. Access from east-west and to the main entrance from the city were shaped in the form of passageways which go perpendicularly through connectors, i.e. the halls which join the modules.
The access way and car parks were designed on north, east, and south side.
4. FUNCTIONALITY
The building of Lublin Science and Technology Park, which was constructed for 8 years, several times has changed the functional assumptions of the original architectural design competition.
Module 1 contains innovation – implementation laboratories and training rooms.
Module 2 contains three multifunctional rooms, each for 140 persons. The rooms may be joined by opening the walls in order to create one huge space for 420 persons.
Module 3 – main module in the form of two-storey exposition space. Entrance hall has reception – information function. Lower tier stages temporary exhibitions of Lublin Science – Technology Park. Part of the hall is devoted to coffeehouse.
Module 4 and 5 contains the rooms of innovation incubator, which is shared between higher education facilities of Lublin: Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin University of Technology and University of Life Science. These modules also house the bar for all workers and guests of Lublin Science and Technology Park.
5. STRUCTURE
The building was formed around internal patio gardens, which constitute the internal passageways and join different rooms. The exception is module 2 – exhibition space, which is organized in such way that the rooms cover whole depth of the module. The natural topography of the area influences the structure of the building and construction of the rooms. Zoning of the space of laboratory modules into serviced spaces (labs) and servicing spaces (technical rooms) allows us to replace technical appliances with technology development. Transparent walls provide the view on spatial plan of the building. Module 3 – entrance hall and exhibition space are open to south – to exhibition hall in the entrance square, which constitutes external hall of the building.
The building is cohesive and directed to inside. Only main module embraces future landscape.
6. MATERIALS
The building was made of the four simplest, cheapest and ecological materials: concrete, glass, black steel and oak wood. Outside and inside surfaces are defined by raw, impregnated concrete, whereas oiled wood gives the aroma of home warmness.
FRIENDLY AND ACCESSIBLE PROJECT:
1. The building is situated in the proximity of the future park and special economic zone. The architects took into consideration existing and planned passageways in the neighbourhood. The construction of the building blends in with topography of the land so that ground from excavation works doesn’t need to be taken out of the construction area. The modules from inside are focused around internal patio gardens. This cosy space with benches and pathways for walking allows employees of the labs and training sections to relax inside the complex without the need to leave their working places. Patio gardens with endemic vegetation serve as temporary recreation places of vast importance for scientific research workers. Greenery of the patio includes local perennial plants and herbs and other endemic species.
Thanks to above mentioned patio gardens, labs, lecture halls and exhibition rooms may be illuminated mainly with natural light coming from outside.
2. The building was made of four natural materials: architectural concrete, steel, glass and Polish wood (mostly oak). These materials are locally accessible, cheap and easy to recycling.
3. Colour scheme of the building is natural colours of used materials. Concrete, Tektalan – thermal insulation with finishing layer of wood shavings on the walls and oiled wood on the floor give welcoming and warm atmosphere. Original yet minimal formal expression of space contributes to this ambience, which creates a kind of hermitage for scientific – research and educational workers. Atmosphere, space, colour scheme are to encourage to focus on scientific work. Lining of the walls with the use of the wood provides proper soundproofing and acoustic atmosphere of the internal space.
4. Information system of the building, its markings, and visual information plates in every module provide unhampered use of the space and fast communication. The main place, which fulfils information function, is the entrance hall.
5. All construction details are functional. Possibly the simplest and cheapest construction details; rails, stairs and landscape architecture have minimal form. Wooden and concrete details are pleasant for everyday contact and touch.
6. The building is easy accessible by its location and land development plan. The building is not enclosed with a fence and has half-open recreational – exhibition space in front of the main entrance visible from far away. This entrance square houses external exhibitions and artistic projects. High pylons hold temporary plates with information about exhibitions and projects. Interior is integrated with outside space. Entrance halls join with passageways on one tier, which makes it accessible for disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility. No thresholds or levels differences on individual tiers, wheelchair-wide doors and access ramps with appropriate incline in exhibition part make the building concordant with the needs of the disabled and persons with reduced mobility. Two-storey parts are equipped with elevator for the disabled, which allows them to access higher tier (labs) or access ramp, which is also spatial element of exhibition. The toilets in the building are designed to accommodate the disabled. All equipment of the toilets: toilets, basins, holders, etc. has appropriate size and height; all switches and regulators are accessible for people with physical disabilities. The architects designed also specially accommodated baby changing facilities with necessary equipment. The building of Lublin Science and Technology Park was designed to provide comfortable, friendly and accessible space to the workers and guests.
SUMMARY:
LPNT (Lublin Science and Technology Park)
The building of LPNT – a business and innovation incubator was designed to provide comfortable, friendly and accessible space to the workers and guests. Patio gardens are cosy space with benches and pathways for walking allows to relax inside the complex. The possibly simplest and cheapest construction building was made of natural materials are locally accessible and easy to recycling. All construction details are functional. Wooden and concrete details are pleasant for everyday contact and touch. The building of Lublin Science and Technology Park was designed to provide comfortable, friendly and accessible space to the workers and guests.
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