HUB|WIELICZKA - Car Park with Coworking Center

Cracow Technical University (Politechnika Krakowska), Kraków

Project idea

The idea of the project was to create a concept for a hybrid building combining a Park & Ride facility with a daytime co-working center.
The guiding theme was the integration of the building with the natural surroundings through the conscious use of the terrain’s topography and the creation of a social space in the form of an amphitheater.

A large concrete parking lot was embedded into the sloping terrain to conceal it and minimize its visual dominance. On top of it, a lightweight wooden CLT structure with co-working spaces was designed. This way, part of the program, such as the parking, remained hidden, and the building’s form harmoniously blended with the existing hillside.

The building was divided into two separate volumes, with an amphitheater-style staircase space created between them – a central place for meetings, events, and social activities. From this area, the stairs lead both upwards and downwards; greenery and a cascading water feature flow toward the lower part of the site, connecting the architecture with the landscape.

The form of the building was designed to be gently integrated into the surroundings, based on a grid of modular columns and beams. Red accents on the beams and shutters add character to the overall design.

Project description

The designed building was intended to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Part of the structure was integrated into a natural hill, which visually reduces the visibility of the parking area and helps conceal the parking spaces. The site layout begins with an amphitheater located in the central part of the building, serving as a space that connects all elements of the design. From the plaza, steps lead to a transverse pathway, designed to harmoniously intertwine with the greenery. A small stream flows from the amphitheater, spreading throughout the rest of the landscaping, emphasizing the natural character of the space.

Another important element is the landscaped hill in front of the building, which continues the natural rise found behind the structure. This hill can be accessed both from the exterior terrace and a small path located below it. Additionally, the hill conceals the concrete parking lot behind it, which positively contributes to the overall aesthetics and harmony of the environment. All project elements were carefully composed using geometric, rectangular lines that, despite their regularity, create irregular but cohesive patterns and stripes across the entire site.

Functionally, the building features several main entrances leading to different zones. On the west side, there is an entrance to the parking area, which occupies the entire ground floor (level 00) and two floors of the building’s right wing. On the upper floors of the larger volume, a co-working zone was designed. On the first floor, next to the main atrium stairs, there is an open foyer with a reception, a shop, a café, and a cloakroom. To the right, a conference room with support spaces and storage is located, while on the north side, a closed administrative zone can be found. The open space is furnished with a variety of workstations, and on the south side, large glazing with access to an exterior terrace was designed.

The first floor also functions as a communication and relaxation zone, featuring integrated seating areas. On the higher floors, spaces for employees were planned — work desks near the southern windows are additionally illuminated by skylights in the ceiling. On the north and west sides, workshop rooms, group workspaces, and meeting rooms were arranged. Utility rooms, technical areas, and restrooms are located on the north side, organized so that plumbing shafts form a continuous line.

Behind the amphitheater stairs, a secondary main entrance for pedestrians and cyclists is concealed, leading to the central part of the building. This zone includes a bicycle parking area with facilities for inflating and cleaning bikes, as well as pedestrian spaces. From the interior of the ground floor, large spiral stairs lead outside, all the way up to the functional rooftop, which offers views and greenery.

Technical information

Building Structure Description
The building is designed as a two-part structure. The upper floors are constructed using timber technology – with walls and slabs made of CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber), and beams and columns made of GLT (Glued Laminated Timber). The lower part of the building consists of a massive, monolithic reinforced concrete structure.

Foundation
The building is founded on a reinforced concrete slab. The concrete foundation walls are protected with heat-welded bitumen membrane and a 15 cm thick layer of XPS polystyrene insulation.

External Walls
Garage Section: The external walls of the garage are made of 25 cm thick reinforced concrete, insulated with 15 cm of mineral wool. The façade is finished with vertically mounted concrete panels attached to the insulation layer.
1st and 2nd Floors: The external walls are made of CLT panels, insulated with 15 cm of thermal insulation, and finished with vertical wooden board siding.

Roofs
The building features two green roofs constructed with 20 cm thick CLT panels. A 20 cm layer of thermal insulation (forming the slope) is placed on top, followed by standard green roof layers: geotextile fabric, drainage layer, filter layer, and a vegetation substrate. One of the roofs is equipped with a photovoltaic installation.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Design Features
- High-Performance Glazing
The building uses high-quality triple-glazed windows with Low-E (low-emissivity) coatings and thermally broken frames. These glazing systems reduce heat loss in winter and minimize overheating in summer, significantly improving energy efficiency and thermal comfort.
- Natural Ventilation
The layout supports cross-ventilation through strategically placed operable windows and openings. This reduces reliance on mechanical cooling systems, improves indoor air quality, and enhances user comfort in a passive, energy-saving way.
- Sustainable Materials: The use of engineered timber (CLT and GLT) significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the structure. Timber used in construction comes from certified sustainable sources.
- Green Roofs: Green roofs improve stormwater management, enhance insulation, increase biodiversity, and reduce the urban heat island effect.

Documentation

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