International project:
FNP Headquarters
An existing, multifamily housing building has been
converted into an office building to house the new
headquarters of the Foundation of Polish Science.
The FNP headquarters consists of one underground
level and four above ground levels. The parking
lot, technical rooms and archives were placed
below ground at level minus 1. The ground level
is composed of reception area, conference rooms,
multifunctional spaces and offices. Office spaces
have also been placed on the above ground levels.
Historical background
The building is located in Wierzbno, a part of the
Mokotów district which is one of Warsaw’s central
neighborhoods. The district was converted from
farmland into town in the 1930’s. It stands among
the dispersed residential villas nestled into the
green. Originally built as low-rise housing in 1933,
it suffered serious mutilation by air bombing during
WWII. Due to the bombing it lost most of the front
façade and parts of the ceilings on all levels. What
remained was destroyed by fire. After the war,
due to its dilapidated condition, the building was
initially condemned to be destroyed. However, due
to the significant destruction of the city (72% of
residential buildings in Warsaw were lost as a result
of the war) the demolition decision was revoked and
the building was to be restored. Restoration works
were carried out in a poor technical manner due
to the lack of availability of quality materials. The
building’s original appearance was not restored.
Preservation
The building is under the protection of the
Warsaw Preservation Office, regarding massing
of the building and the layout of windows. The
proportion of the attic wall mass to the rest of the
front elevation is also the subject of interest of
the Preservation Office. The terms of conditions
for construction, issued by the municipal office,
did not allow the enlargement of the building
footprint. These same conditions also dictated
the coordination of the new design solution with
the existing character of the building, especially
regarding to the rhythm and symmetry of the
elevations.
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