Abstract

The location of project is a site of over 1,2 ha, situated on the southern fringes of Gdynia formerly used as an area to host a Circus. Here artists were performing for the public, newcomers were meeting the locals, the temporality of the event was enhancing the experience of exchange. Circus used to be the place where people live, work and create art. Currently the site stays empty but surely not for long. Its potential, attractive location and demand for housing attracts developers. Existing local land development plan points the need to create a city subcenter with mixed use development that leaves over 25% of open space and protects vistas to the city and from the city to Tricity landscape park. With this project, our team looked closely at what the site could be and what sort of development would best suit contemporary Gdynia’s needs. We didn’t want to contest the existing plan but rather to start a dialogue which allows for more complementary vision. The location creates a potential of the site to be the gate to the city. The welcoming arms of Gdynia. We combine the two ideas: the circus and the gate, to guide a mixed use development, where different people meet in a vibrant, cultural place. At the city scale the site serves as a gate in few different dimensions. Firstly, it is the direct link from the surrounding Tricity landscape park to the coast. It is also an entry point, a first stop of SKM light rail connecting the TriCity - Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia. The site, being at the edge of main city is also an entry to an upper terrace city with its satellite districts and cities. Located at the end of commercial corridor it links city centre and the biggest local shopping mall.

Authors (7)