IT Faculty
Type: architecture
Location: Szczecin, Poland
Stage: concept
The new IT Faculty building for the Technical University in Szczecin is conceived as a contemporary academic complex located outside the dense urban structure of the city centre. The site is defined by low-rise surroundings and abundant vegetation, so the project responds by preserving as many existing trees and natural green areas as possible.
The building is divided into three functional and spatial blocks, making the layout easy to understand and navigate. The shifts between the main volumes create an entrance square and pocket gardens, while the variation in height and length reflects the programme and introduces spatial diversity. Mansard forms visually reduce the scale of the complex and give it the character of a pavilion set in greenery, avoiding the impression of a typical institutional university building.
Open student areas, a canteen, library, and meeting rooms form a bright and spacious environment for socialization, integration, and inspiration. These spaces open toward the inner green part of the campus and face the neighbouring Faculty of Electronics, expressing openness and a willingness to cooperate. The overall structure of the plot, with many open areas, supports relationships between people in the real world, not only the virtual one.
The project uses two main natural materials: brick and wood. Light warm sand-coloured brick and the natural tone of wooden structural elements relate to the surrounding landscape, while the rhythmic façades enter into dialogue with the rhythm of the existing trees. Inside, rooms for employees and students, teaching spaces, and lecture halls are designed with a neutral character and many wooden details, complementing the greenery visible from the windows.
