rybnik residential building | rybnik | poland
2018 with ssbs engineering group, pedro mendes, marco fernandes

The proposed development for residential buildings and services in the heart of Rybnik is envisioned as a civic space—an inviting and accessible area for the broader community. The design aligns with the competition’s guidelines and respects both the planning framework and intended construction volumes.
the project seeks to integrate new architecture into the site's existing urban, natural, and historical context. The area’s rich character, marked by historical buildings, the river, and generous green spaces, inspires a U-shaped block that creates a new central square for leisure, culture, and public life.
Anchored by two existing brick houses along General Josefa Hallera Street, which are reimagined as a café and an art gallery, the development emphasizes transparency and connectivity at ground level. The square becomes a civic hub, linking the north-south pedestrian axis, the riverbank via a proposed new bridge, and surrounding neighborhoods. Above this open and fluid ground floor, the residential units are organized into a modular grid, offering flexibility in apartment typologies and maximizing natural light and views. Storage is located in the basement, and the façade design—balancing solid volumes with recessed balconies—adds rhythm and identity to the ensemble.

jeff wall | a sudden gust of wind

project
rybnik residential building competition
client
city hall
location
rybnik, poland
date
2018
intervention area
3 890 sqm
architecture
adriano pimenta, sbs engineering group, pedro mendes, marco fernandes
3d
team ch