NOVA CENTRE
2018 • Poznań, Poland • conceptual design
NOVA CENTRE is a cultural centre placed in a former synagogue building in Poznań, Poland.
Citizens and tourists have an opportunity to visit the museum exhibition about the history of Jews from Greater Poland region, explore kosher food served in the café or watch a performance
in a newly redesigned auditorium hall.
Grey card, laser-cut model of the synagogue building
The purpose of my design was not to retain the historic shape of the building. By breathing a new life into the synagogue, proposing new functions of the building that remains in its historic shape, I wanted encourage people to discover this place as well as make them think about other abandoned temples and their history.
1915
1944
2018
>>Poland
Location:
>>Greater Poland Voivodeship
>>Poznań City Centre
NOVA SYNAGOGUE
built in Poznań, Poland in 1907, until 1940 served as a temple. The outbreak of World War II interrupted the sacred life of the synagogue which was then converted into a swimming pool. After WWII, the cities authorities continued to use the building in the same way until 2012.
Photos from site visit by Janusz Witkowski
Main focus: designing the auditorium
The collages above were a start of the design process and water played the main role of the concept idea. The goal was to transform the main prayer room into an auditorium which would held different events for the public. However, history of the place could not be ruled out and consequently the respect to the former temple needed to be paid. To express frustration that this space served as swimming pool for decades e above graphics were created which enabled me to come up with the final design vision for the re-designed space.
Auditorium model made of laser cut greycard pieces and manually formed and attached mesh structure.
Digital Auditorium model created in Rhinoceros 3D.
The design of auditorium hall is based on shapes of splashing water.
It is equipped with 250 chairs placed on platforms and adapted to wheelchair access.
It is a space where a concert, a theatre performance or a lecture can take place.
Digital Auditorium model created in Rhinoceros 3D.
New materials proposal inspired by the ones discovered during site visit
Materials discovered during site visit >>>
The design of tiles for café area was inspired by photographs of the synagogue's wall taken during site visit.
I wanted to breathe a new life into a building with an unusual history and make it attractive to people’s attention. It is important to remember about the past but we should also concentrate on what is now and on the future. Therefore, I want my design to refer to the history of Jews in Poznań as well as the history of the building itself. It is important to remember about the past but we should concentrate on what is now and on the future. Therefore, I wanted my design to refer to the history of Jews in Poznań as well as the history of the building.
