Redefining Traditional Workers’ Housing from a Polish Mining Region as a Contemporary Urban Infill: A Conceptual Study of Reside

Project idea

Familok 2.0 is a contemporary interpretation of traditional workers’ housing typical of the industrial regions of southern Poland. The project complements the existing historic street frontage in a harmonious way, preserving the urban continuity of the street.

This project serves as a formally articulated design statement aimed at redefining the architectural language of historical workers’ dwellings through a modern lens. It investigates how traditional forms and materials can be reinterpreted in contemporary residential infill, while responding to current spatial, social, and environmental needs. The main objectives include fostering architectural continuity, promoting community-oriented living, and integrating greenery into the urban fabric.

The architectural form draws from the characteristic brick aesthetics of historic workers’ tenement buildings, while introducing a modern accent in the form of prefabricated concrete panels in a brick-colored tone. This subtle contrast creates a dialogue between heritage and modernity.

A key element of the concept is the integration of greenery and communal outdoor space. The design features spacious green terraces accessible directly from the apartments, offering residents opportunities for relaxation, contact with nature, and a sense of privacy. Thanks to carefully positioned openings and glazing, the interiors are filled with natural light, ensuring a bright and comfortable living environment..

Project description

Two buildings integrated into the existing urban fabric form the spatial closure of the block, reinforcing the street’s frontage and enhancing a sense of enclosure and privacy for the local community. Their distinctive architectural expression and open terraces introduce visual and spatial diversity within the predominantly repetitive context of traditional workers’ housing (familoks).

The proposed development respects the historical scale and rhythm of the surrounding buildings while incorporating contemporary solutions to address present-day residential needs. Residential units are located on the upper floors, providing natural light, privacy, and views, while the ground floor is dedicated to rentable commercial spaces that activate the street level and contribute to the vibrancy of the neighborhood. Additionally, on-site parking and individual storage rooms (lockers) for residents are provided to ensure functionality and user comfort.

Greenery plays a key role in the project concept—both in the form of accessible terraces and soft landscape elements, including rain gardens placed in large planters on private terraces. One of the buildings also features a green roof that improves insulation, supports urban biodiversity, and mitigates rainwater runoff. These ecological strategies contribute to a healthier microclimate and promote sustainable urban living.

By creating a clear but permeable threshold between public and private realms, the development encourages social interaction, enhances community identity, and strengthens the sense of place within the urban structure.

Technical information

The buildings are designed using a prefabricated structural system, optimizing construction speed, cost-efficiency, and environmental performance. The external walls consist of a layered prefabricated sandwich system: a 25 cm structural concrete core, a thermal insulation layer made of mineral wool, and an 8 cm outer concrete shell, tinted in a brick-red hue. This composition references the traditional brick façades of the region’s workers’ housing, while delivering contemporary thermal performance and material durability.

Prefabricated elements ensure precision, reduce on-site waste, and shorten construction time, aligning with the project’s sustainable approach. One of the buildings is topped with a green roof system that improves thermal insulation, supports biodiversity, and mitigates the urban heat island effect. The second building features rain gardens integrated into terrace planters, which function as decentralized retention elements and contribute to water management on-site.

These ecological strategies, combined with the compact massing and passive design principles, reinforce the project's commitment to environmentally responsible urban living.

Documentation

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