“Connector” for Architecture and Engineering buildings at Technical University of Lodz by Le 2 Workshop

The young Polish practice formodesign – founded in 2004 – designed this connection between the Architecture and Engineering building of the Technical University in Lodz.

“The challenge was to pay respect to rules dominating the existing buildings, as they were designed by well known Polish architect Boleslaw Kardaszewski (one of the University’s leading professors)”, the architects say. According to this the design is based on the existing module of 3,3m as the base dimension.

Extension of the University of Lodz

Here is what the architects say:

“Some factors we had to take in consideration:

- the need for fire-safety drive

- only 1st floor was available at the Architecture Department (the tall one)

- need for an elevator

- need for a small workshop on the ground floor

- both departments are situated next to a park on the side of the connector

- connect Architecture 1st floor with Engineering 2nd and 3rd floors

We designed a 2 storey main form which is flat-closed with a classrom on each floor. The staircase and elevator are incorporated into the construction supporting system.

The corridors, with an open view on the park, are used for exposition of student works – for educational reasons we wanted to let the students of both departments use the same expo space!

Under the main connector, on the 1^st floor level, we proposed a space which connects the new and old buildings and would be used for exibitions that need to be lit only by artificial light. As this space would be mainly used for communication there is an outer garden available.

The ground level glass box hides the construction supporting columns and is used as the students’ (workshop) space with a view on the park.”

Extension by fLe 2 Workshop

With respect to the existing buildings, which were designed by the well known Polish architect Boleslaw Kardaszewski

to the Le 2 Workshop website

'FIDU Bench' by Oskar Zieta

With his charming ‘Plopp’ stool the Polish architect presented the innovative technology of inflatable metal structures to the design scene.

“In future we want above all to design objects which are inflated but don’t look as if they have been inflated” Oskar Zieta said. With the very precise and smooth looking ‘FIDU Bench’ he came one step closer to this aim.

You can see Oskar Zieta´s work at this year´s DMY Festival in Berlin at the DMY Allstars exhibition.

'FIDU Bench' by Oskar Zieta

to the Oskar Zieta interview @ Architonic

to the DMY Berlin website

A combination of coffee table and fire place

The new fire inspirations by Arik Levy for the Polish manufacturer Planika Fires is a range of coffee tables combined with small fire places. The wire frame made of powder-coated steel supports the table top and the fire surround made of reinforced glass together with an integrated fuel container which enables the fire to burn for a period of up to two hours. ‘Fire Coffee’ is suitable for use both indoors and outdoors and is available with a black or white frame. This is not the first time that Planika Fires has cooperated with prominent designers – last year’s collection was designed by Christophe Pilet.

more products of Planika