RAMMA : Sexual Health Center with a Library and Rooftop Garden at Politechniczna Street, Gdańsk Wrzeszcz

Project idea

The architectural concept unfolds vertically from a central staircase « the stem », inspired by the organic structure of a flower, with each floor representing a functional « petal », symbolizing various stages of human development, knowledge, and self-discovery. As users ascend, they move through spaces that foster personal growth and the acquisition of knowledge, much like petals opening towards the light. The result of the concept of form penetrating the plant world is the Fibonacci sequence, which has been incorporated into the form of the building as well as the division of the windows. The building is designed to guide users on a journey of transformation. Each level is dedicated to different aspects of sexual health, knowledge, and self-awareness. The architecture itself is a metaphor for growth: grounded in the « soil » of the ground floor, visitors begin their exploration and gradually ascend towards a broader understanding, symbolized by the rooftop garden: a space for reflection and completion.

Project description

The project of the Sexual Health Center in the Wrzeszcz district of Gdańsk is an architectural and social response to the need for more comprehensive sexual education and support services in Poland. Its primary goal is to create an inclusive, safe, and educational space that fosters awareness, personal growth, and open dialogue about sexual health, topics still considered taboo in society.
The building is strategically located within a key transportation hub. It is adjacent to bike paths and tram stops. It is surrounded by a rich urban fabric of historical buildings. The design respects and enhances this context by integrating a ground-level public bike station, café, kiosk, and accessible open space that invites interaction and reflection. The center is organized into three zones: prevention, which include diagnostic and treatment rooms; psychological support, which has spaces for therapy and counseling; and education, which features a workshop area and a public library. The education zone culminates in a rooftop garden, which serves as both a literal and symbolic destination.
The project adheres to the architectural principles of Baukultur, focusing on ecological responsibility and cultural continuity. The new floor extension is made of CLT (cross-laminated timber), and rammed earth, a sustainable, regionally sourced material, is used for the façades and interior partitions.
In a country where ecological practices and comprehensive sex education are still developing, this building is designed to be a transformational space. It offers essential services and encourages an emotional connection with architecture. It invites users to embark on a journey of awareness and acceptance, helping them to grow and flourish like a flower, grounded in knowledge and open to light.

Technical information

RAMMA is a public utility building featuring a recessed ground floor and a rooftop garden accessible for use, fully open toward the urban space, this openness serving as the main concept behind its function.
RAMMA is a redesigned structure of the existing Centrum Handlowe Jantar reimagined in accordance with the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB). Its façades and interior walls are constructed using rammed earth and compressed earth blocks, referencing the regional tradition of clay and rammed earth construction in Pomerania.

The building is founded on existing foundations, which were assessed to be in good technical condition, with no need for replacement or reinforcement. The foundations were verified for load-bearing capacity and adapted to current usage requirements in compliance with applicable standards.
The adopted structural system allows for the vertical transfer of loads from the new CLT-based storey through the columns to the existing foundations.
The existing staircase was retained as a key functional and representational element of the building. Its dimensions were also established based on the conducted survey. A drawing of the staircase is included on the project board.
Partition walls were built using compressed earth blocks (FETDETERRA TAPIALBLOCK SC) with dimensions of 15 × 100 × 20 cm. These blocks have a density of 2100 kg/m³ and compressive strength of 4.0 N/mm².
The choice of technology reflects the principles of ecological design, aiming to use natural and local materials. Raw earth blocks offer excellent thermal, acoustic, and humidity regulation properties, contributing to a healthy interior microclimate.

The building’s form and the division of its façade are inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, which guided the project’s design concept. Its height is harmonized with the historical buildings of the Wrzeszcz district, whose skyline can be admired from the rooftop garden. This garden also functions as a retention roof, managing rainwater.
The surroundings of the building include planned bicycle paths and tall greenery, intended to mitigate the noise caused by the site's location in a high-traffic zone.

Documentation

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