The design problem was addressed as a result of a announced competition for the Museum of the Greater Poland Uprising in Poznań. It aimed to showcase the potential for such museum facilities within the grounds of the Poznań Citadel and the possibility of its revitalization. The existing Weapon Museum, located in the former laboratory building, part of the Winiary Fort structures, seems not to meet modern exhibition standards. Moreover, the few remaining fortifications are deteriorating over time, increasingly threatened by both nature and human activities. An attempt to address these issues is the design of a new museum, equipped with appropriate technical and storage facilities, and serving as a tourist attraction with extensive, interesting collections and unique architecture.
The hidden form nestled within the embankments fits into the area of the former Redoubt I, adapting all preserved walls and following the old foundations to preserve as much and destroy as little as possible. The concealment of the building reflects respect for the current park-like character of the area, as a structure of this scale would disrupt the space. On the other hand, it is also a reference to the buried military buildings of the Poznań Fortress. Creating a glass gallery in the location of the former moat allows for an exhibition hall surrounded by historic walls, creating a space where the most preserved history merges with new architecture. We enter the hall through a preserved corridor that acts as a link between the redoubt and the inner courtyard, leading to a walkway that reveals the entire interior.
The facility is divided into two parts: the entrance area and a café located on the surface in the historic building of the former laboratory, and under the glass extension, a temporary exhibition hall has been created. The second part, connected by an underground corridor, includes the main exhibition, administrative-technical section, an educational department for children, a library, and a conference room.
architecture _ conceptual project
location _ laboratory and redoubt I, winiary fort area, poznań
project _ 2019
armament museum in poznań