Prioritising the places and people that need it the most
Village hall in Just Transition of Turów
Lusatian village halls - available projects as "resources" in the transformation process
Turow Lignite has provided jobs and energy, but also destroyed entire villages. Today lack of decarbonisation plan means no EU JTF. Depopulation of Lusatia has also meant that village halls disappeared - centres giving people the space to create common future visions and the sens of belonging. Our NGO together with architects, has created designs for new Lusatian energy-efficient buildings. Our halls combine tradition with modernity and provide „resources” to the regional transition.
EU Member State, Western Balkans or Ukraine
Poland
Regional
Lower Silesia, Zgorzelec County, Poland, a land of half-timbered Lusatian houses that was destroyed by the Turów opencast.
No
No
Mainly rural
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Yes
2023-09-25
Yes
Construction projects and cooperation with the Poznan and Silesian polytechnics were made possible thanks to the
Program Rozwoju Obszarów Wiejskich 2014-2020 (PROW 2014-2020)
https://www.gov.pl/web/rolnictwo/-program-rozwoju-obszarow-wiejskich-2014-2020-prow-2014-2020
No
No
As a representative of an organisation
The aim of our project was and is distribution of energy-efficiency lusatian buildings projects. We persuade local authorities to implement our projects in their plans for public facilities. We offer them for free projects and help in realisation of the building. We want to create a meeting place, but also to rebuild the identity and aesthetics of a place that for years was associated only with destruction and coal mining. We want to give the residents a sense that their region, apart from coal, has other resources for development and job creation. Our Project demonstrates the goal of Repower EU which goal is also to create a new jobs in termomodernisation and reuse of old heritage that can be a „resource” in Just transition.
Lusatian architecture is based not only on the joining of wood, but also on the joining of three countries - Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. It was created for weavers from the very beginning. Today we want to use it to rebuild the region, but also to "weave" a new vision of the future. We are inviting inhabitants but also local and regional authorities, we cooperate with artists but fore most with students from technical universities who make for us Project of New energy-efficiency lusatian hauses.
In 2021. DOM Kołodzieja together with the Academy of Fine Arts from Wrocław organised an open-air art workshop in the former spa town of Opolno-Zdrój, which stands over the edge of the open pit mine Turów. Before 2021, we recreated the community of the destroyed historic village of Wigańcice close to the pit mine. In both of these projects, meeting places were extremely important. In this industrial region, the problem of village meeting places had been forgotten, and those with half-timbered architecture in particular were being destroyed. We want to bring hope and interest for the inhabitants of the region, that it deserves a better and beautiful future.
Lusatian architecture is based not only on the joining of wood, but also on the joining of three countries - Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. It was created for weavers from the very beginning. Today we want to use it to rebuild the region, but also to "weave" a new vision of the future. We are inviting inhabitants but also local and regional authorities, we cooperate with artists but fore most with students from technical universities who make for us Project of New energy-efficiency lusatian hauses.
In 2021. DOM Kołodzieja together with the Academy of Fine Arts from Wrocław organised an open-air art workshop in the former spa town of Opolno-Zdrój, which stands over the edge of the open pit mine Turów. Before 2021, we recreated the community of the destroyed historic village of Wigańcice close to the pit mine. In both of these projects, meeting places were extremely important. In this industrial region, the problem of village meeting places had been forgotten, and those with half-timbered architecture in particular were being destroyed. We want to bring hope and interest for the inhabitants of the region, that it deserves a better and beautiful future.
Multiplication
transition
belonging
efficiency
heritage
The designs of the half-timbered village houses promote not only the ideas of the New European Bauhaus, but also Re Power EU. Our projects demonstrate that heat and electricity do not have to be a burden on the climate and the environment. We promote heat pumps and photovoltaics connected to them. The designs of our houses fully incorporate all the provisions of the directives on energy efficiency, decarbonisation of energy sources. The houses carry the idea of energy conservation, the use of best practices regardingcm building materials and infrastructure. Our designs also carry an educational value, as they show that it is possible to recreate old architecture or create a new home, but with energy efficiency. This knowledge is necessary precisely in a region where conventional lignite-fired power stations are in operation, where electricity and heat are derived from lignite. We are persuading local authorities to build solid, for many years, but to appeal to an aesthetic that is permanently linked to the region. In the designs, it is important to fit in with the landscape, to respect the surrounding vegetation.
Aesthetics play a leading role in the design of our homes. Our original aim was and is to preserve local heritage, restoring and recreating local half-timbered architecture. Houses, buildings, guest houses and even palaces that once stood in the Turow mine region have been destroyed in favour of the pit. The most glaring example of senseless destruction was the village of Wigańcice, which was not eventually covered up by the spoil heap. The village, however, ceased to exist. Our association, Kolodziej's House, takes its name from the half-timbered house that was relocated to the town of Zgorzelec. It was then that the adventure, but also the love for half-timbered architecture, characteristic of Lusatia, began. Over time, we saw that the local population was used to the destruction of these monuments. Often they did not want to live in them and accepted to be resettled. We show that half-timbered houses are beautiful, but also comfortable, warm and characteristic of the region. Many of the houses are already real gems that attract tourists and others. This traditional but also modern architecture can be the new face of a region that many associate only with big holes and chimneys.
The problem with the construction of such houses is often the lack of specialists. We show that these are potential jobs in the thermo-modernisation of historic buildings. We also want to sensitise local authorities to take care of trade schools that should educate for these professions - to remind them of old building techniques and teach them to install new technologies. Aesthetics is not only a sense of surrounding beauty, but also the contractors' sensitivity to reliable, durable and beautiful work.
The problem with the construction of such houses is often the lack of specialists. We show that these are potential jobs in the thermo-modernisation of historic buildings. We also want to sensitise local authorities to take care of trade schools that should educate for these professions - to remind them of old building techniques and teach them to install new technologies. Aesthetics is not only a sense of surrounding beauty, but also the contractors' sensitivity to reliable, durable and beautiful work.
Social inclusion operating on many fronts. We offer ready-made designs of half-timbered houses and public buildings. We give them away free of charge and help in implementation. Everyone can take advantage of this offer. Thanks to this, the region can rebuild its identity, aesthetics and attract new residents and tourists. The most obvious thing is that rural community centers serve as meeting places for people, their social and cultural activities. To a place where you can meet people in depopulated towns. Moreover, they include these safeguards and local matter in the process of exclusion. The reconstruction of buildings will require new equipment, but also other competencies. It is a reminder of the people who lived here before us, before the Second World Division, who built these beautiful houses. It is also a reminder of other events that once dominated in Lusatia. Half-timbered houses to weavers' houses. Later, miners resettled to the western lands from the east lived there. Today, beautifying the usable space with architecture, as well as inviting young generations to care for the region in which I live. It shows that this destroyed place at the intersection of borders has a chance of ending.
There is quite a journey from design to execution.
1. Awakening interest among the inhabitants
Our work began with the devastated village of Wigańcice, where all the houses, beautiful half-timbered houses, were destroyed, although the area itself was not. The inhabitants were displaced to Bogatynia, right next to the Turów opencast. When the NGO Kolodziej's House moved the largest, historic house from Wigańcice to Zgorzelec, the site itself became a second home, so to speak, for the displaced people. It was there that talks began to restore Wigańcice.
2. Project preparation
It was then that work began with polytechnicians and designers to develop designs for new half-timbered houses. In addition to the inhabitants of the former Viganice, other people from the region began to take an interest in the unique architecture. People started to apply for their houses to be recognised as monuments. In Zgorzelec, Bogatynia, old houses were renovated, often by specialists from Germany and the Czech Republic, because Poland lacks traditional craftsmen.
1. Awakening interest among the inhabitants
Our work began with the devastated village of Wigańcice, where all the houses, beautiful half-timbered houses, were destroyed, although the area itself was not. The inhabitants were displaced to Bogatynia, right next to the Turów opencast. When the NGO Kolodziej's House moved the largest, historic house from Wigańcice to Zgorzelec, the site itself became a second home, so to speak, for the displaced people. It was there that talks began to restore Wigańcice.
2. Project preparation
It was then that work began with polytechnicians and designers to develop designs for new half-timbered houses. In addition to the inhabitants of the former Viganice, other people from the region began to take an interest in the unique architecture. People started to apply for their houses to be recognised as monuments. In Zgorzelec, Bogatynia, old houses were renovated, often by specialists from Germany and the Czech Republic, because Poland lacks traditional craftsmen.
Stakeholders: Residents of resettled villages, other residents, local authorities, students from technical colleges, contractors and builders who have a professional challenge in building these unique houses.
Inhabitants - motivation to rebuild destroyed villages, to create common places where they can meet
Students - students from technical universities could work on creation the projects of traditional, beautiful buildings that are energy efficient.
Local autorities - they participation is on the level of spatial planing. We encourage them to take our projects without charge and built new common places as village hauses. They can spare money and have ready project that is suitable with the landscape.
The added value is the distribution, without charge, of traditional house designs. The municipalities do not have to pay for them and, at the same time, the community as a whole gets the guarantee that the public building is part of the local landscape and Lausitz tradition. People living in degraded villages have the chance to get a public building that is beautiful and energy efficient. In the Turow region, for years the aesthetics of the place were not taken care of at all; everything was only used for coal mining. People living here did not have the chance to develop a sense of belonging to the architecture, which was anonymous and often degraded. Now they see that this region also has a beautiful face, that it is something special, which has a history and not just a utilitarian function. The added value is therefore the formation of a sense of belonging. As the designs are provided for free, each village can save a lot on the construction process and provide a sign of belonging.
Inhabitants - motivation to rebuild destroyed villages, to create common places where they can meet
Students - students from technical universities could work on creation the projects of traditional, beautiful buildings that are energy efficient.
Local autorities - they participation is on the level of spatial planing. We encourage them to take our projects without charge and built new common places as village hauses. They can spare money and have ready project that is suitable with the landscape.
The added value is the distribution, without charge, of traditional house designs. The municipalities do not have to pay for them and, at the same time, the community as a whole gets the guarantee that the public building is part of the local landscape and Lausitz tradition. People living in degraded villages have the chance to get a public building that is beautiful and energy efficient. In the Turow region, for years the aesthetics of the place were not taken care of at all; everything was only used for coal mining. People living here did not have the chance to develop a sense of belonging to the architecture, which was anonymous and often degraded. Now they see that this region also has a beautiful face, that it is something special, which has a history and not just a utilitarian function. The added value is therefore the formation of a sense of belonging. As the designs are provided for free, each village can save a lot on the construction process and provide a sign of belonging.
Specialists from many disciplines collaborated in the creation of the designs, the reconstruction of the houses and the identity of the place.
1. Technical schools
We invited the Technical Universities from Wrocław, Poznań and Gliwice to take part. A competition was announced for the design of a half-timbered house taking into account energy efficiency requirements. We organised workshops and residencies for students and professors, who explored dilapidated villages and historic houses. Botanists and specialists in rural and urban planning also came. Hydrologists who explored the possibility of restoring the spa conditions in Opolno-Zdrój. All this happened with the support of external, EU funds; neither the municipality nor the state was interested in these projects. As a result, designs for houses and day-care centres were created and anyone who wants to build can use them. We have ready-made designs that can be multiplied.
2. universities - social, cultural and pedagogical faculties
For years, humanities scholars have been conducting field research on issues of social psychology and cultural studies. They study attitudes about a just transition, the decarbonisation process. We know that people are afraid. We also know how meeting places and the formation of a sense of belonging are needed in a place that looks like the surface of the moon. We know that the presence of these scientists also requires that every village has a community centre where people can meet, talk and plan and argue together.
3. From 2021 onwards, artists are also coming to Opolno and Viganice. Residencies have taken place, there has even been a theatre production
https://www.powszechny.com/spektakle/tesknica,s2013.html
https://www.asp.wroc.pl/pl/aktualnosci/odkrywki
https://www.asp.wroc.pl/pl/aktualnosci/odkrywki-i-wegiel-bezdni-o-turowie-we-wroclawiu
1. Technical schools
We invited the Technical Universities from Wrocław, Poznań and Gliwice to take part. A competition was announced for the design of a half-timbered house taking into account energy efficiency requirements. We organised workshops and residencies for students and professors, who explored dilapidated villages and historic houses. Botanists and specialists in rural and urban planning also came. Hydrologists who explored the possibility of restoring the spa conditions in Opolno-Zdrój. All this happened with the support of external, EU funds; neither the municipality nor the state was interested in these projects. As a result, designs for houses and day-care centres were created and anyone who wants to build can use them. We have ready-made designs that can be multiplied.
2. universities - social, cultural and pedagogical faculties
For years, humanities scholars have been conducting field research on issues of social psychology and cultural studies. They study attitudes about a just transition, the decarbonisation process. We know that people are afraid. We also know how meeting places and the formation of a sense of belonging are needed in a place that looks like the surface of the moon. We know that the presence of these scientists also requires that every village has a community centre where people can meet, talk and plan and argue together.
3. From 2021 onwards, artists are also coming to Opolno and Viganice. Residencies have taken place, there has even been a theatre production
https://www.powszechny.com/spektakle/tesknica,s2013.html
https://www.asp.wroc.pl/pl/aktualnosci/odkrywki
https://www.asp.wroc.pl/pl/aktualnosci/odkrywki-i-wegiel-bezdni-o-turowie-we-wroclawiu
Only after we created our projects did local and regional investors become interested in building traditional architecture. Previously, the designs of houses, but also of public places, had no common denominator and planning chaos reigned. All this intensified the alienation of the inhabitants. Today, our projects give you the opportunity to build a beautiful and efficient building, save money and create the identity of a place.
Previously, half-timbered architecture was associated with something old, damaged, cold, cramped and uncomfortable. Our designs for new houses and community centers ensure a beautiful appearance and, at the same time, modern standards of use and space management. The projects are free and anyone can use them. The goal is to build the beauty and identity of a post-industrial place.
Previously, half-timbered architecture was associated with something old, damaged, cold, cramped and uncomfortable. Our designs for new houses and community centers ensure a beautiful appearance and, at the same time, modern standards of use and space management. The projects are free and anyone can use them. The goal is to build the beauty and identity of a post-industrial place.
Our work method is interdisciplinarity. The designs themselves were created as part of a competition for new half-timbered houses. The competition was addressed to architecture students and architects. We wanted these projects to include energy efficiency requirements.
The effectiveness of our work, i.e. the construction of buildings, depends on cooperation with local authorities. We convince them to include half-timbered architecture in their investment and spatial plans. We talk both at the local and regional level. Due to our location near the border, we also support our neighbors - mainly from the Czech Republic. Our projects comply with European standards, so they can be built throughout the European Union.
The effectiveness of our work, i.e. the construction of buildings, depends on cooperation with local authorities. We convince them to include half-timbered architecture in their investment and spatial plans. We talk both at the local and regional level. Due to our location near the border, we also support our neighbors - mainly from the Czech Republic. Our projects comply with European standards, so they can be built throughout the European Union.
Our projects are available for everybody who wants to create traditonal regional building with energy efficiency. We give projects for free. The contractor (author) of the project transfers to the Ordering Party all of his/her proprietary rights to the developed documentation of the multi-discipline construction and contracting project. We are still opening new cooperations with the public authorities from the region. Our goal is to develope the idea of Bauhaus - we have designs that can be replicated so that people can cheaply build or renovate a new home that fits into the historic landscape, creates continuity and builds aesthetics for the future.
Building of village halls includes, among others: counteracting loneliness and atomism of society, especially in post-industrial and depopulating areas. The region is depopulating and the economic situation is difficult, but we offer energy-efficient house designs free of charge. Thanks to this, the builder can save money and the environment - emissions.
We have a lot of social problems in the field, such as alcoholism and drug addiction - Bogatynia is a city famous for drug smuggling. We also have social divisions due to, for example, working in a mine and the privileges associated with it.
Our houses offer solutions for disabled and elderly people.
New houses and community centers are also a living sign that the Turów region has a chance for transformation, at least from the bottom up. Too much destruction and uprooting has already taken place. Over the years, half-timbered houses were replaced by "global" architecture, which resulted in the loss of the character of Lusatia. There was planning chaos and no order. All this meant that people treated these lands temporarily, as something to be exploited.
Today we are already pointing to cultural resources for the transformation of an industrial region. It is also an aesthetic transformation, a change using tradition and modern technologies.
We have a lot of social problems in the field, such as alcoholism and drug addiction - Bogatynia is a city famous for drug smuggling. We also have social divisions due to, for example, working in a mine and the privileges associated with it.
Our houses offer solutions for disabled and elderly people.
New houses and community centers are also a living sign that the Turów region has a chance for transformation, at least from the bottom up. Too much destruction and uprooting has already taken place. Over the years, half-timbered houses were replaced by "global" architecture, which resulted in the loss of the character of Lusatia. There was planning chaos and no order. All this meant that people treated these lands temporarily, as something to be exploited.
Today we are already pointing to cultural resources for the transformation of an industrial region. It is also an aesthetic transformation, a change using tradition and modern technologies.
The action results from the specific needs of the community and place. The community of the Turów region and other parts of the land of half-timbered houses is afraid of transformation and decarbonization. There are no conversations on this topic, because then you have to say the word loudly - the end of coal mining. There are also no places where such conversations can take place. Children and young people live in places where the infrastructure has been destroyed and there are concerns about whether schools, public transport, etc. will be maintained. In turn, the place itself is devoid of identity because it has been exploited for years. New buildings only disfigured the landscape, and old houses were renovated, destroying their facades. Both people and places are, as it were, on the edge of the mine.
The transformation is not taking place because the central authorities have decided on mining until 2044. We know that the end will come sooner and today, from the bottom up, we want to give this place the feeling that a future is possible here, that the architecture that somehow survived destruction can become a "resource" in the transformation process.
EVERYONE can benefit from the projects, but we especially appeal to local and regional authorities to pay attention to beauty, tradition and efficiency when thinking about the building stock.
So far, 4 village halls have been built, including one in the immediate vicinity of the Turów open pit mine. We are constantly talking to local authorities, encouraging them to include the buildings in the historic resources and to build new buildings while maintaining their architectural identity. We are talking about the need for specialists in construction, energy efficiency, and combining old techniques with modernity.
The transformation is not taking place because the central authorities have decided on mining until 2044. We know that the end will come sooner and today, from the bottom up, we want to give this place the feeling that a future is possible here, that the architecture that somehow survived destruction can become a "resource" in the transformation process.
EVERYONE can benefit from the projects, but we especially appeal to local and regional authorities to pay attention to beauty, tradition and efficiency when thinking about the building stock.
So far, 4 village halls have been built, including one in the immediate vicinity of the Turów open pit mine. We are constantly talking to local authorities, encouraging them to include the buildings in the historic resources and to build new buildings while maintaining their architectural identity. We are talking about the need for specialists in construction, energy efficiency, and combining old techniques with modernity.
Both
- Downloadfolder konkurs nowe domy_0.pdf
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