Transferium

Gdańsk Technical University (Politechnika Gdańska), Faculty of Architecture, Gdańsk

Idea projektu

The ‘Transferium’ project is a response to the need for redefining degraded post-industrial areas through sustainable development and social activation. The key premise of the project is the preservation of the existing port infrastructure including cranes and the former port hall as valuable material heritage, transforming it into the foundation of a new urban district.
The word ‘transferium’ gains a new, multidimensional meaning in this project. It no longer refers solely to the movement of goods but becomes a metaphor for the exchange of ideas, culture, art, emotions, and social energy. The project creates a dynamic urban space where the past meets the future.

Popis projektu

The revitalization of Nowy Port is based on the principle of coexistence between the old and the new. Preserved and reinterpreted elements of port infrastructure such as quays, loading tracks, and former warehouses are integrated into the new urban layout as identity and culture bearing elements. Their functions have been transformed into exhibition, utility, and community spaces.
The central spatial element is a complex of four art museums serving as the cultural hub of the district. These institutions offer space for exhibitions, events, performances, and education, becoming the symbolic heart of the idea of cultural transshipment. The presence of these museums elevates the project to the level of an international center for contemporary art within a post-industrial setting. Complementing this concept are open art display areas and dedicated graffiti walls unleashing the energy of modern art.
A key element integrating the former industrial fabric with its new function is the old port hall, now repurposed into a municipal market, a lively social place rooted in local identity.
The waterfront area preserves the historical canal which has been transformed into the main recreational axis of the district. A network of pedestrian bridges spans the canal, enabling free movement between different parts of Nowy Port. Along the canal and quays, promenades flow beneath buildings, combining transportation and leisure into a cohesive spatial rhythm. A modern marina complements this arrangement allowing for mooring of recreational boats and water taxis. Together with a tram system and water transport connections, it forms a consistent framework for sustainable and active mobility.
To improve accessibility, the project reactivates a previously existing SKM urban rail station, significantly enhancing connections with other parts of Gdańsk.
Another essential component of the district’s service infrastructure is a commercial passage and foodhall, a space not only for culinary experiences but also for social and communal integration. This area remains vibrant throughout the day and evening, becoming a natural center of daily community life.
Responding to the needs of families living or planning to live in Nowy Port, the project includes a kindergarten and nursery. Their presence is a vital part of the social infrastructure and enhances residents’ daily quality of life.
The residential structure of the project has been designed as comprehensive and inclusive. It offers both exclusive waterfront apartments and multi-family and social housing, creating a community that is socially and generationally diverse, transshipping people of different ages and backgrounds into one living space.
Green spaces go far beyond aesthetics. They form an integral part of the functional, social, and ecological structure. The urban layout is enriched with various types of green areas tailored to the needs of diverse users. Community gardens play a key role in fostering social ties and neighborhood integration. The design also includes a sensory garden and a floating garden providing both educational and recreational benefits. Green roofs on selected buildings offer ecological advantages while enhancing architectural aesthetics.
Sports and recreation are organically woven into the urban fabric as elements of everyday life. The project includes a climbing center and a swimming pool attracting visitors of all ages from across the city. Nearby, an outdoor gym encourages regular physical activity. A trampoline park provides dynamic movement opportunities for children, teens, and adults alike. The district also includes a skatepark, a key meeting spot for youth and a reflection of contemporary urban sports trends.

Technické informace

Firstly, we have participated in the student urban and architectural competition "Waterfront of Nowy Port 2025" organized by the city of Gdańsk, Poland and received an honorable mention.
The ‘Transferium’ project is located in the Nowy Port district of Gdańsk, Poland. It involves the transformation of post-industrial lands into a modern multifunctional urban structure with a strong waterfront character and a mixed-use development approach.
At the core of the design is a complex of four contemporary art museums forming the cultural center of the district and serving as spaces for exhibitions, education, and cultural events. Public space has been planned as open, accessible, and diverse. Along the waterfront, a marina has been designed as part of an integrated sustainable transportation system including water trams and a reinstated SKM station.
The housing program is based on the idea of social diversity. The district is enriched with essential daily-use facilities such as a nursery, kindergarten, commercial passage, urban market, and foodhall. Greenery plays a major role in the project. Beyond traditional parks, it includes community gardens, sensory and floating gardens, and green roofs as environmentally friendly architectural elements. The sports infrastructure is integrated into the landscape of the district as part of everyday urban life.
The ‘Transferium’ is a comprehensive urban and architectural response to the challenges of the contemporary city. It merges heritage with future potential, industry with culture, and functionality with social inclusivity.