Tychy Green Economy Hub - A VERY GREEN BUILDING
Category:
GREEN NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE AND ON GRADE PROJECTS
Project general details
Nominator
Investor
Supplier
Architect
Pracownia architektury krajobrazu IKROPKA Dominika Krop-Andrzejczuk
City Hall of Tychy
Pracownia architektury krajobrazu IKROPKA Dominika Krop-Andrzejczuk
PARADOX Borczyk, Marszolik spółka komandytowa
Location (City)
GPS
Country
Region
Year of nomination
Tychy
Poland
data
Europe
2024
Project specifications
The team: architectural design - PARADOX (architecture), landscape architects -IKROPKA (greenery outside, on the facility and inside the facility) revitalized an urban space comprising unfinished buildings and their surroundings in the city center of Tychy, Poland. Buildings were part of the original, unrealized design concept from 1997 by Atelier Loegler. The goal was to restore the space and assign it functions related to innovations in the green economy sector. Driven by a shared vision of the future, tailored for future generations will boost the city's economic and social potential by setting a pro-environmental direction. Close cooperation between building and landscape architects promoting a practice that should be more widespread maximizes the site's potential demonstrating how integrated efforts can achieve the most beneficial results. The HUB project is a manifesto for development harmonized with nature. The guiding slogan is: Green is as important as the building.
Object type
Roof area (m2)
Year of completion
Project in operation?
Other
2020
2023
YES
Project details
Innovation
The project adopts a sustainable approach, embracing universal values for future generations and ad dressing cli mate change challengers. Key features include: Environmental Aspects: Integration with surroundings using Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Respect for fourth nature and biodiversity low-emission technologies: photovoltaics, rainwater retention, night ventilation system, DALI lighting system to reduce light pollution and controlling energy consumption, green roof & walls, climbing plants for shading, thickened thermal insulation, winter heating supported by heat recovery ventilation Social Aspects: Attention to spatial and health aspects for the well-being of people in the workplace Accessibility of the urban business facility as a publicly available space for residents Educational Aspects: new trends and directions related to the revitalization of urban facilities and the development of local construction Economic Aspects: Design focused on skillful management of the planet.
Maintenance
The facility will be managed by an external operator (a private company) selected through a tender by the Tychy City Hall. The project was developed with the use of new technologies for efficient and economical future management, focusing on resources like water and energy. The project incorporates rainwater retention to meet the needs of greenery, energy collection from photovoltaic panels, and intelligent solutions for managing both external and internal lighting. These aspects aid in managing the large facility and its vegetation, which, being largely natural and low-maintenance, does not require extensive care, water, or chemical treatments. The maintenance of the greenery is intended to be minimal, allowing it to grow naturally.
Project ecology
An important aspect is soil and vegetation recycling. The project plans to use local soil -reuse it while enriching it with organic material from urban composting facilities. Regarding plant cover, the project is inspired by Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). We are reusing the fourth nature. The main external garden is designed with native species and ruderal vegetation—‘domesticated’ weeds—arranged within a simple framework. The project uses plants that have naturally settled in the area, allowing them to maintain a regenerating ecosystem. We minimized the amount of materials used in the building's interiors, and those we did use are eco-friendly and easily recyclable. We left the ceilings, columns, and many walls in raw concrete and used expanded metal mesh on the ceilings. Additionally, glass and natural wood dominate. Our goal is to keep the carbon footprint as low as possible, ensuring that when changes are needed, the materials from demolition are highly recyclable.
Biophilic design
Nature has claimed this space, and as designers, we embrace it - invites nature into the entire complex on horizontal planes (gardens, green roofs, terraces) and vertical green walls, interior zones as “green chill zone”, and exterior (a garden with pergolas, outdoor atria). Nature has defined this place. Respecting the concept of fourth nature, we preserved spontaneous vegetation (which has grown on the building over the last 25 years) and the biocenotic zones, we preserved trees that have grown spontaneously, left the central part to nature, introduced climbing plants on the facades, and dense undergrowth in the form of low vegetation. We have made this space accessible to people, maintaining its wild and natural character. As a result, truly “green outdoor rooms” have been created, providing contact and integration with nature, which positively impacts mental well-being, relaxation, and rest in the workplace. Users have close and direct contact with greenery, surrounded by plants.
Users
According to the investor's description presented in media interviews, the visionary, ambitious, and expansive endeavor will gather in one place all areas of activity: public administration, private enterprises, start-ups, and possibly universities involved in ecology, climate change, and new energy sources. The primary user base will be young people, offering talent development opportunities. Employment opportunities for retrained miners, as the Hub will house not only the Center for Entrepreneurship Development but also the Center for Vocational Competence and the Information and Advisory Center for the Green Economy, helping workers affected by the transition. Additionally, the place will engage residents by providing access to cultural and sporting events (a cultural events area, commercial events area, and sports hall). The building and its external area are fully designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
Users
semipublic (hospital, school, workplace)
Source of funding description
The investment received funding from the European Union amounting to PLN 96,201,387.29, with a total project value of PLN 118,020,397.71
Source of funding
municipality
Please describe aspects of the project contributing to sustainable urban development?
Promoting and disseminating ecological solutions and positively influences various aspects: Environmental: water retention, solar energy harvesting, Integration into existing green-blue infrastructure Economic: benefits from greenery and environmental advantages, Focus on cooperation with pro-ecological companies and those using 'green' technologies, climate protection, and energy-saving solutions, Impact on local development and the implementation of low-emission solutions in the 'green economy' sector across various regional industries, The building is designed to house companies related to the green economy (linked to energy transformation), Provides opportunities for the development of skills and career prospects for young people Cultural: The building will influence cultural changes-raising social awareness in perceiving design related to climate change adaptation, ecological construction, and viewing development as a process inherently connected with nature.
How the project contributes to climate adaptation?
In the project, the most crucial elements that, according to the designers, should become standard have been addressed: ● Rainwater retention (using rainwater for irrigation and plants for its retention, creating a secondary water cycle) ● Energy recovery and energy efficiency (shading, thickened insulation, supporting heating with heat recovery ventilation, photovoltaic panels) ● Microclimate improvement through a large number of plants: greenery on roofs, terraces, and façades adapted to the conditions (vegetation suited to the surrounding environment, tolerating shade and root competition from trees) ● Natural ventilation – microclimate regulation ● Reduction of the urban heat island effect through: maximizing green spaces (horizontal and vertical), using permeable surfaces ● Limiting hardened surfaces supports the absorption of rainwater and allows for soil life
How is the project supporting local biodiversity and urban ecosystems?
A conscious focus on ecology and agreement on this direction by all involved—designers, city authorities, and residents—is a significant success. With comprehensive acceptance and as a major element in the city's fabric, the project with its pro-ecological and holistic assumptions, draws everyone's attention and shows that emphasis should be placed on Urban Green Infrastructure. This alignment highlights that the degradation of the city's green infrastructure should not be allowed; on the contrary, it is necessary to support it and think on a large, urban scale. Locally, it sets new standards in the approach to designing urban spaces utilizing ecosystem services, and respecting local biodiversity. It 'returns' space to nature through green roofs, ruderal greenery, and use of native species. It bridges two green areas, integrating landscape with the designed space, creating a seamless blend into the landscape and reducing light pollution through a fully controlled lighting system.
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