Warsaw / Poland

Solec is one of the oldest, most interesting and the longest (approx. 1.2 miles) streets in Warsaw, currently a part of the Powisle district. Initially Solec was a small port in the XII century by the Wisla river servicing transport of salt from the south of Poland to Gdansk - the main port by the Baltic Sea.

This project is a loft extension to the existing town house. Except the flanking wall and two brick chimney breasts everything is new built - construction of the floor, mansard roof and all interior. Having the overall area of 800 sq. feet the clients request was to create a flat having the privacy and openness as a focal point. Hence the entertainment space as the Sitting Area together with a Kitchen and Dining is separated via sliding doors to the private quarters of two Bedrooms and the Bathroom. 

We decided to keep and expose both existing chimney breasts - one in the Bathroom and one along the Kitchen as a relic of the existing fabric. Overall the materials and detailing are a mixture between the traditional and contemporary styles. All the joinery is made to the specific detailing and finish in contrast to the kitchen worktop, bath surround and the bathroom floor which is made of concrete in situ, adding the contemporary aspect. 

Due to irresistible fetish of old school joinery we reclaimed the doors from the several timber yards and used them throughout even as the side cover to the bath. 

Having the overwhelming brick chimney breast above the kitchen units we decided to use the opposite wall as a projector screen with a fireplace located in front to the sitting arrangement. To bring the depth to this space and also to reconnect with the Solec heritage as the river port connecting Warsaw to the Baltic Sea, the long wall opposite to the windows and the additional balcony is a large permanent print of the photograph ‘The Sea Concerto’ taken during Tadeusz Kantor www.cricoteka.pl happening in the 1967 by photographer Eustachy Kossakowski www.eustache-kossakowski.com, used with a kind permission from Anka Ptaszkowska and obtained from the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw. www.artmuseum.pl