The Diver's Bay

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

Project idea

The Diver's Bay – Architecture of Immersion

Location: Gdynia Orłowo, Poland, along the Queen Marysieńka Promenade, by the gentle waters of the Gdańsk Bay.
Concept: immersion – in nature, in experience, in community.

The Diver’s Bay is more than just a building — it is an architectural wave, emerging from the coastal landscape of Orłowo to redefine the relationship between people, water, and the environment. Inspired by the fluid motion of a diver descending into the depths of the Baltic Sea, the building’s dynamic façade mimics the natural, wave-like curves of a submerged body in motion. It is architecture that flows — in form and in spirit.

At the heart of the project lies a deep connection to water, not only as an element but as an experience. This space is conceived as an open, inclusive, and ecologically responsible public venue — a meeting point for locals and visitors alike. Fully accessible and barrier-free, The Divers’ Bay welcomes everyone: walkers, cyclists, families, people with disabilities — anyone seeking contact with nature and community.

The concept pays tribute to conscious diving — both literally and metaphorically. It serves as a hub for Gdynia’s diving community, who are actively engaged in cleaning the Baltic seabed and protecting the marine ecosystem. The building is not only a functional support for these initiatives but a symbol of environmental awareness itself — built with natural materials, equipped with rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and passive design strategies that minimize energy use.

The Diver’s Bay is a multi-layered space that blends recreation, environmental education, inclusive design, and poetic expression. Its rippling silhouette on the shoreline is more than just a visual statement — it is an invitation to dive deeper into the values that truly connect us: harmony with nature, social openness, and shared responsibility for the future.

Project description

The Diver's Bay – Architecture that Connects Through Water

Location: Gdynia Orłowo – nestled between the Queen Marysieńka Promenade and the sandy Baltic shoreline, where land, water, and community meet.

Concept: Movement. Immersion. Accessibility. Ecology.

The Diver's Bay is a visionary coastal complex composed of three fluid, wave-shaped volumes, seamlessly connected by accessible terraces and green roofs. The architecture draws its essence from the motion of a diver's body underwater – gentle, flowing, continuous. This idea of the "diving wave" informs the entire spatial composition and aesthetic character of the site, offering a deep connection to both the marine landscape and the human body in motion.

Visitors can enter the complex either from the beach side or directly from the Queen Marysieńka Promenade. A key feature is the expansive green roof, which serves not only as an elevated park but also as the entrance to the heart of the site – the Central Museum of Maritime Art. This middle wave-like form anchors the entire complex both visually and functionally.



1. The Museum – Heart of the Bay

Located at the center of the site, the museum is dedicated to art inspired by the sea. Inside, visitors find:

Photography exhibitions by local divers, capturing the hidden underwater world of the Gdańsk Bay.

Jewelry crafted from Baltic amber, a symbol of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

Rotating exhibits related to maritime history, underwater archaeology, and oceanic art installations.

But the museum is more than just a place to observe – it is a “third place” for the community: hosting creative workshops, children’s classes, eco-education sessions, and lectures on marine conservation. It brings people together, offering learning, inspiration, and shared experience.



2. The Diving Center – Northern Wave

To the north lies the Diving Center, a space of action and awareness. Operated by a dedicated community of divers, this facility is committed to environmental restoration. Every day, local divers venture into the bay to collect marine waste and monitor underwater ecosystems. The center doubles as a hub for education and activism, raising awareness about pollution and marine degradation.

Visitors of all ages are invited to participate – from first-time divers to experienced explorers. Beginner courses, guided dives, and even snorkeling classes for children take place here. The lower level houses a small shop with eco-friendly diving gear and snorkeling accessories tailored for young enthusiasts, making diving fun, safe, and accessible.



3. The Restaurant & Bar – Southern Wave

To the south, the final volume of the complex houses a restaurant celebrating local culinary identity. It serves dishes inspired by the Baltic coast, featuring fresh, sustainable ingredients sourced from regional producers and fishers. The space honors cultural heritage through cuisine – a sensorial bridge between past and present.

Beneath the restaurant, a public bar opens in the evening, hosting concerts, storytelling nights, community events, and gatherings – creating a vibrant social anchor for Orłowo's coastline.



Designed for Everyone – A Truly Inclusive Place

Accessibility was a core value from the start. Every part of the complex is fully barrier-free:

Gently sloped paths (never exceeding 5%) connect each volume, allowing for seamless navigation by wheelchair or stroller.

Textured surfaces and tactile indicators assist those with visual impairments.

All facilities, from restrooms to seating areas, follow universal design principles, ensuring comfort and dignity for every guest.

Technical information

Technical Description – Diver's Bay

The Diver's Bay architectural complex is situated on the natural slope of the Orłowo Cliff in Gdynia, adjacent to the Baltic shoreline. Due to the site’s steep terrain and close proximity to the waterline, the entire structure has been elevated and founded on a pile foundation system, ensuring long-term structural stability while minimizing interference with the natural landscape.

The main load-bearing system consists of a monolithic reinforced concrete structure, chosen for its durability, weather resistance, and flexibility in forming dynamic, wave-like geometries. The complex is composed of three interconnected volumes – the northern Diving Center, the central Museum, and the southern Restaurant and Bar – all joined by a system of open terraces and platforms that gently follow the topography of the site.

A distinctive feature of the complex is its lightweight, wave-like façade, composed of vertical wooden lamellas mounted on an independent substructure. This element draws inspiration from the undulating movement of divers beneath the surface and softens the expression of the concrete mass, creating a dynamic visual connection with the sea.

Programmatically, the complex is divided as follows:

The central volume (Museum) is a single-storey pavilion dedicated to maritime-themed exhibitions and cultural programming;

The northern volume (Diving Center) consists of two storeys, housing diving equipment storage, classrooms, and a shop;

The southern volume (Restaurant and Bar) also spans two levels, featuring a dining area above and an event space below.

Each of the three buildings is topped with extensive green roofs, which enhance the ecological character of the site, support rainwater retention, improve thermal insulation, and provide accessible green terraces for visitors. These green roofs also help the complex blend naturally into the surrounding coastal landscape.