jakub szczęsny installs a temporary refuge on a rooftop in são paulo

jakub szczęsny of SZCZ has installed the ‘polish refuge’, a temporary utopia, on the rooftop terrace of ‘casa do povo’ in brazil. casa do povo was built by polish, progressive, jewish immigrants and refugees, many of which led a politically-charged life in early twentieth century poland and fled to brazil in the 1920s to escape political repression. these first immigrants conceived and built ‘casa do povo’ as a way to bring together existing organizations, initiatives and activities in the bom retiro neighborhood of são paulo.

a veil of fabric undulates overhead, forming a canopy that shades direct sunlight
image by chico davina

now — more than 60 years later — szczęsny reignites casa do povo’s original intentions, transforming its large, unused roof terrace into a shelter, house, tent, hiding-place, and retreat. a veil of fabric undulates overhead, forming a canopy that both shades direct sunlight and creates a semi-enclosed space. these cloths can be easily disassembled and re-located to a new place, creating a ‘refuge’ anywhere in the world. furniture pieces sourced from the neighborhood’s bazaars are incorporated into the site, with couches, chair and rugs adding fragments of domestic life to the outdoor area. szczęsny himself lived in the ‘polish refuge’ for one month, making his temporary abode open to all and welcoming guests passing through. 

szczęsny turns casa do povo’s into a shelter, house, tent, hiding-place, and retreat
image by edouard fraipont

cloths can be easily disassembled and re-located
image by chico davina

furniture sourced from the neighborhood’s bazaars is incorporated into the site
image by edouard fraipont

couches, chairs and rugs add fragments of domestic life to the outdoor area
image by chico davina

the space hosted concerts, workshops and events open to the public 
image by chico davina

szczęsny himself lived in the ‘polish refuge’ for one month
image by chico davina

the temporary abode has been open to all, welcoming guests passing through
image by chico davina

the installation has been added to the rooftop terrace of ‘casa do povo’ in brazil
image by chico davina

the intimate space is perfect for not being discovered
image by chico davina

the project seeks to invert the precepts of public and private space
image by chico davina

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