The starting point of my research was an orangery that existed in the area before II World War. It was designed by Johann Robert Mende and erected in 1875. The classicistic form of the hothouse was adjoining the Wzgórze Polskie hill and was probably revealing some parts of the Ceglarski Bastion. There is little information about the object, nevertheless, it became the main inspiration. The Center of Forgotten Culture is focused on a pre-war Wroclaw. The function
of the previous building will serve as a reinstated attraction. Moreover, it will be a symbol of the former greatness of the city. Greenery will be the most important feature of the building. It will be possible to roam freely among exotic trees or plants and to observe them from every floor. The ruins of Ceglarski Bastion are encompassed by the building, providing a part of the exposition.

 

 

The Center is an extension of the building line of the Academy of Fine Arts department. It encloses the frontage from Garncarska street to the entrance
of Wzgórze Polskie located near Gondola Bay. Cubage of the building overlaps the Ceglarski Bastion enclosing it in its contour. At the top of the hill,
an entrance to the third floor is located. The hill can be a good observation point from which it is possible to see the panorama of Ostrów Tumski. Because

of that, it can become part of visiting path.

 

 

The glass facade of the building is a direct reference to the hothouse idea. Interior is not designed in a typical manner - rooms are treated as separate white cubes of different sizes leaned on pillars. Paths to each one of them lead through footbridges located on every floor.  Various functions and activities are situated inside each cube - exhibitions, workshops, movie projections. Public spaces are reachable from the main corridor, whereas office rooms,
as administration or storeroom, are in a remote location. A distinctive element of the whole Center is the cube of the multi-purpose hall, which is placed on
the fifth floor and overlaps the greenery due to its independent construction composed of irregular pillars. Vertical communication is provided by stairs elevated above and among plants. It is an interesting alternative for regular evacuation staircases located on different sides of the building. An inspiration for this complex arrangement of functions was a competition project of ZKM Center for Art and Media Technology in Karlsruhe designed by Bernard Tschumi
in 1989.

 

 

The multi-dimensional structure is treated merely as a background for greenery and allow sunshine to get inside. Irregular and ferine plants hang above corridors and lay down they leaves on stairs. White structures made up of plaster and glass cannot compete with natural greenery and subdues to it.

 

The south facade of the Center is characteristic not only because of the white cubes but also on account of the first floor. It is the only function not enclosed in a cubage. It serves as the main area for a temporary exhibition. Big exhibits will be visible from a distance and thus can be an invitation for visiting
the building.