© Open Architekci . Pubblicata il 12 Ottobre 2010.

The designers were faced a difficult and ambitious challenge of designing the interior of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, dating from 1929-1938, at Al. J. Ch. Szucha 23 in Warsaw. The aim was to restore the interior in a way that would bring back its former glory and that would satisfy functional and aesthetic needs of a representative state buildings. This task is particulary important, considering Poland’s membership in both North Atlantic Treaty and the European Union, and resulting new geopolitical situation of the country . The project aims to create a modern, but at the same time, rooted in tradition, image of the Polish State that would succesfully meet today challenges.

© Open Architekci . Pubblicata il 12 Ottobre 2010.

The interior was modernised and redesigned several times throuout the decades. This process had left it altered with many architectural solutions of high aesthetic quality, that do not necessarily work out when applied together. The project intends to preserve the most valuable elements and details and to introduce a new quality, that would strenghten the advantages of the existing parts.

© Open Architekci . Pubblicata il 12 Ottobre 2010.

The main design principal was to use large planes of muted taupe and white colours. The narrow range of colour varation was contrasted with a wide variety of textures and materials of different light reflection qualities, that allowed to create dynamic tension of the interior and to emphasize the importance of key spots of that space. This design principal, although is a common rule for all newly designed interiors in the Ministry, is achieved by variety of means in different areas of the building.

© Open Architekci . Pubblicata il 12 Ottobre 2010.

The way of dealing with particular areas of the interior was determined by “ The description of the existing state and cultural values of selected interiors- Guidelines for designers” and the available photographic documentation.

© Open Architekci . Pubblicata il 12 Ottobre 2010.

© Open Architekci . Pubblicata il 12 Ottobre 2010.

© Open Architekci . Pubblicata il 12 Ottobre 2010.