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The
small
settlement
of detached
houses
build
in Wola
Justowska,
an elitist
district
dominated
by new
residential
estates
drawing
upon
pre-WWII
architectural
traditions,
built
of well
known
materials,
can
provoke
a discussion
of the
contemporary
architecture
in Krakow.
The
sight
of houses
in the
Pylna
St.
can
amaze
or even
confound.
The
interest
in the
unusual
buildings
gives
additional
duties
to workers
carrying
out
last
finishing
work.
"Drivers
stop
by,
take
photos
and
ask
us about
details"
- says
one
of the
construction
workers.
Controversial
architecture
Novel
solutions
set
buildings
erected
by Buma
apart.
They
are
the
first
detached
houses
in Krakow
whose
facades
are
clad
in a
material
other
than
plaster,
wood
or stone.
Here,
modern
cladding
of environmentally-friendly
Trespa
tiles
in a
graphite
colour
has
been
used.
The
character
of the
buildings
resembles
US stealth
military
fighter
aircraft
invisible
to radar.
The
only
cheerful
element
is provided
by the
colourful
entry
doors
which
form
an notable
detail.
What
is more,
the
gabled
roofs
are
covered
with
the
same
material
as the
facades,
reinforcing
the
astounding
UFO
or stealth
effect.
Another
characteristic
feature
consists
in the
large
glazed
surfaces
of the
cubes
attached
to the
main
bodies
of the
houses.
They
give
people
in the
open
space
living
room
with
kitchen
the
impression
of interacting
face-to-face
with
the
environment.
"Who
designed
these
buildings?"
- we
asked
the
architect,
Mr Łukasz
Lichoń
of Buma.
"They
are
the
work
of a
large
team
I headed.
The
main
body
of the
building
and
its
functional
layout
was
proposed
by our
boss,
Mr Jacek
Michalski.
The
structure
which
allows
the
3D modules
to be
manufactured
in our
factory
is our
BUMA
Free-Dom
building
system
tried
and
tested
in Poland
and
in London,
with
light
aggregate
walls.
Steel
external
staircases,
terraces
with
glass
barristers
were
designed
by a
team
headed
by the
architect
Krzysztof
Dymek.
The
visual
idea
of the
roof
and
its
details
was
developed
by ns
MoonStudio,
a Krakow-based
architects'
firm,
which
worked
with
Buma
on this
development.
So once
again,
success
has
many
fathers."
Offer
for
independent-minded
people?
How
will
prospective
home
buyers
react
to this
offer?
"The
majority
have
mixed
feelings.
This
is a
very
modern
design,
definitely
unpalatable
to lovers
of columns,
spire
lights
and
multi-slope
roofs
found
in the
so-called
Polish
manors"
–
finds
Monika
Franaszek
on behalf
of Buma
–
"I
believe
these
are
houses
for
young
Europeans
used
to the
modern
aesthetics.
For
independent
couples
of a
high
material
status
who
would
like
a small,
but
top-shelf,
expensive
home
in an
exclusive
district
of the
city.
Those
who
drive
mini
coopers
and
are
glad
to interact
with
21st
century
gadgets
every
day.
Such
people
are
few
and
far
between,
but
elites
are
always
in the
minority".
Is
this
an offer
that
really
cannot
fail?
One
can
wonder.
The
majority
of Krakow's
residents
are
conservative
and
probably
will
not
accept
architecture
that
is so
far
out.
However,
let's
hope
that
these
cautious
inroads
of modern
design
into
detached
housing
will
not
be condemned
outright
.
Text
and
photos
by:
Janusz
Michalczak
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