atelier starzak strebicki revives courtyard in poland with landscaped street furniture

green oasis, street café, community and public square; these are the latest incarnations of the courtyard city hall in poznan, poland. once a parking spot, the space has been completely transformed into a meeting place for local residents.

images © mateusz bieniaszczyk & atelier starzak strebicki

developed by poland-based atelier starzak strebicki, the courtyard located in the old town has received a second life – turning into an open, multifunctional public space. the square has been furnished with a family of objects referring to different needs, as well as groups of users. the street furniture consists of a big rounded bench around the existing flower-bed and a series of mobile seats that can be formed into an amphitheater-like arrangemen, together with a podium. these elements may be used for seating, lying or cascade sitting — referring to the scheme of an auditorium in a theatre. 

wanting to offer a vibrant and pleasant atmosphere, the furniture was designed to in include a selection of flora. indeed, young trees have been planted in flowerpots alongside high grass to give intimacy and a sense of coziness to the urban setting.

project info:

location: poznań, poland
year: 2015 – 2016
status: completed
client: city of poznań
surface: 2.300 sq.m
team: jola starzak, dawid strębicki, bartosz stanik, maciej polakowski, luis gómez soriano, agnieszka kotschy
program: urban furniture for courtyard city hall (20 pots with trees and plants, 14 mobile benches, round bench surrounding flower bed)

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom