Polish Solidarity Centre Competition, Gdansk
Winner: FORT Architects, Poland
Entries: 62
Announced Dec 2007
Prize: £70,000
2nd: Gray International and Stelmach i Partnerzy, Poland
3rd: Arkitema, Denmark

Polish Solidarity Centre Competition Entry by Zvi Hecker Architekt



The Solidarity Centre is a Gate.
It is the Gate to the memories and history of Solidarity.
It is the Gate to the reconciliation of Polish society with its past.
It is the Gate to the knowledge about the struggle of Polish people with its oppressors.
It is the Gate which young people will walk through to make the part relevant and present understandable.
The Solidarity Centre is a Gate to the Freedom.



The architecture of the building expresses its functions as well as its symbolic role within Gdansk and polish society in general. It certainly will become the heart of Solidarity heritage and its visual image.
The form of the building is that of a Gate open to the Solidarity monument and covered by a large roof which houses the most important function of the Centre: its permanent exhibition of the History of Solidarity. The structure of the roof is carried by a cross construction resting on the two V-like pillars, actually the building.
The cross construction of the roof leaves two large opening which allow the visitors to enjoy the view of the changing sky creating a feeling of freedom when approaching and entering the Centre.



Solidarity Centre Gdansk - Building Info from Zvi Hecker Architects 220408



Polish Solidarity Centre Competition 3rd place : Arkitema

Polish Solidarity Centre Competition entry : Town Planning Design & Architecture

European Solidarity Center : more details

Polish Architecture



Polish House

Polish Building : British Embassy

European Solidarity Center : main page

World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

Polish Architecture : Wroclaw building

Comments / photos for the European Solidarity Center Gdansk page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk

European Solidarity Center Building - page: adrian welch / isabelle lomholt