The Resort of the Silesian University of Technology in Jastrzębia Góra is a project aimed at preventing the demolition of existing structures in favor of new holiday complexes. Instead, the proposal promotes the traditional architecture of the Pomeranian region and gives new life to a building with a rich and interesting history.
The concept is based on a symbiosis of two key elements: urban planning and architectural form. The design blends the region’s historical heritage with contemporary solutions.
A central idea of the project is the use of the site’s significant elevation difference—reaching up to 6.2 meters at its most extreme point. After organizing and gently leveling the terrain, it becomes possible to integrate the natural slopes with the proposed architectural structures, creating a cascading layout of the newly designed hotel buildings.
The new buildings are inspired by regional traditions—both in terms of applying architectural details in a modern interpretation and in the choice of local building materials.
The urban concept of the project is based on minimal interference with the existing topography.
Subtle changes are limited mainly to leveling areas for the newly designed buildings and circulation routes.
The site includes an existing building of the Silesian University of Technology’s holiday resort.
Following in-depth analyses and a study of the region’s architectural history and traditional Pomeranian development, it was decided to preserve the structure while renovating and adapting it—improving its quality and bringing the complex back into use.
Two main embankments were created, dividing the site into three levels.
These levels accommodate the newly designed buildings along with elements of small-scale architecture.
This approach takes advantage of the site’s significant height differences (the largest difference between the extreme points is 6.2 meters), allowing for a cascading arrangement of the new buildings.
This layout enhances privacy for guests and offers better views from the hotel rooms.
The architectural concept aims to reference the traditional architecture of the region and the Puck County.
After analyzing examples of local development, characteristic features were identified and reinterpreted in a modern form within the project.
Among the distinctive elements of the region’s architecture are:
– Traditional roofing materials such as straw, reed, and wooden shingles
– Characteristic façade divisions with the use of wooden elements
– Symmetrical, typically gable roofs
– Specific window openings (divided into two or three panes)
The main—and at the same time most challenging—element shaping the entire development was the significant difference in terrain levels across the site. Through thoughtful design interventions, this topographical complexity was turned from a limitation into a major asset. The resulting architectural composition takes advantage of the uneven terrain, creating a dynamic layout that offers beautiful views of the Pomeranian landscape.
The buildings are set on a 30 cm thick foundation slab. The newly designed structures feature masonry construction. Both external and internal load-bearing walls are made of Porotherm 25 E3 ceramic blocks, 25 cm thick. The exterior walls are insulated with either mineral wool or polystyrene, depending on the type of façade finish, with an insulation thickness of 20 cm. Each floor is connected by 25 cm thick reinforced concrete ring beams.
The roof structure consists of a timber truss made of rafters (8×18 cm) spaced at 80 cm and collar beams (16×18 cm).