location: Cieszyn, PL

design: 2018
completed: 2019

investor: Cieszyn Municipality

author: arch. Robert Skitek
cooperation: arch. Jakub Zygmunt, arch. Jarosław Zieliński, arch. Joanna Kujda
structure: Lechprojekt, Marta Weszke, Leszek Weszke, Piotr Weszke
planting plan: Tomasz Kurtek
landscape design studio

photo: Tomasz Zakrzewski / archifolio.pl

Our main aim was to create an attractive public space and to design carriers for an exhibition about the history of a divided city. The task was demanding enough, because we had at our disposal only a very narrow, wooded and quite abandoned strip of land on the steep bank of the Olza River.

We have redesigned the pedestrian and bicycle route to make it more attractive with varied greenery. Between the trees we have arranged seating platforms, which are supposed to attract here young people. However, the most important challenge was to create a characteristic element – a symbol of the Museum, which would link areas belonging to two different countries. We decided to create a kind of appeal for those walking on the other side of the border river: “hey, here we are, it’s worth coming here, we invite you warmly”. The Time Circles became such an appeal, which illuminated perfectly attract the attention of pedestrians and provide information about important events in the history of the city. In addition, they are also a place to spend time at the waterfront – roofed, with comfortable wooden seats allow you to relax by the river.

All the designed elements are totally contemporary despite the proximity of the castle hill. They highlight the unique character of the Open Air Museum, which makes wide use of modern technologies and today’s cooperation between the two parts of Cieszyn for the reunion of the city.