SCHINDLER’S ARK: The Museum of Survivors in Brněnec

Poznań University of Technology (Politechnika Poznańska), Faculty of Architecture, Poznań

Project idea

The main idea of the project is to adapt post-factory buildings into a museum with a conference centre. In addition, to expand the facility's functions, there will be space for a temporary exhibition, which can be rented for example by local artists. Instead of the proposed separation of the exhibitions into two separate buildings, the project envisages the connecting corridor merging two existing buildings. This will ensure that the history presented in the museum's exhibitions is consistent and that the tour is more accessible. The inspiration for the design was a thread referring to the history of the factory where the Löw-Beer family made textiles. The inspiration of the thread allows the use of mimetic forms that interweave the entire complex.

Project description

The project consists of the adaptation of two existing buildings and the land development of a plot.
The entrance is located on the southern part of the plot and there are also a parking area. Paths gently lead to the most important places in the complex. The greenery in between has taken the form of a meadow with along with trees that will provide shade in the park section. A meadow instead of a traditional lawn will ensure lower maintenance costs and an increased biodiversity. A park area has been designed between the buildings to unify the entire complex and create some space where all visitors can relax. Greenery will also separate a workshop centre zone and a museum zone from car and bus parking lots. A memorial square has been created between the two buildings and the gate. In the middle of the square there is a sculpture with a looped form that casts a ring-shaped shadow.
The design includes an exhibition part, technical part, warehouse part, conference-seminar part and space for the local community and organized groups, to expand awareness of the history of this place and strengthen interpersonal bonds.
Upon entering the museum, visitors are greeted by an impressive main hall, characterized by high ceilings and expansive windows. Dedicated museum wings focus on various events related to Schindler's Ark, leading through rooms that tell the story. The final exhibition room contains a collection of works created by people who were part of Schindler's Ark. The open hall is well insolated thanks to large windows and skylights in the roof. From the hall, there is a view of a representative staircase, which also serves as the Hall of Remembrance, dedicated to commemorating the people who suffered through these events. Upon exiting, attention is drawn to an installation composed of spools of thread. The spools are arranged in a mosaic. They are gently suspended, with their threads interwoven to form a metaphorical network of interconnected lives. The choice of spools of thread as an artistic medium is symbolic, with each spool representing one survivor and also a reference to the history of the place. From the representative staircase, there are also available rooms with temporary exhibitions. This space can be rented to local artists or artists creating art on themes related to the museum's main exhibition. The entire exhibition space is located on the ground floor and the first floor of both buildings. The second floor consists of a conference and office area. The conference zone comprises four seminar rooms and a relaxation zone, which can also become a catering space. The largest seminar room can be divided into two smaller ones using a movable screen. The conference area can be used by the local community, museum visitors, and external companies. The office part is separated from the conference area by a closed corridor, leading to four offices and a breakroom. Next to the office part is a public staircase leading to the building's green roof.
Thread is an exhibition system that showcases the different characteristics of thread, offering visitors a dynamic experience of its varied forms. Each part represents the unique character of the exhibition system, both functionally, visually and emotionally. The Thread exhibition system takes advantage of the existing architecture of the building and weaves itself into it. The designed system consists of information texts, interactive screens in the form of screens and tables, and dedicated listening areas. The system also has the function of guiding visitors throughout the museum to present all events chronologically. The threads of the system wrap freely around the architecture of the building using the walls, and columns, but also the ceiling and floor. The neutral colour of the thread allows information to be presented in a variety of ways without distraction from the conveyed message. The exhibition system can be individually adapted to any character of the exhibition.

Technical information

Due to the fact that it is an adaptation of historical buildings, the project has preserved as much of the original structure as possible. In the project area, there are abandoned production halls and garages also several single-story extensions were added to the original building structure. Those parts of the complex are planned for deconstruction. In place of the removed single-story extensions, one extension was designed, consistent with the old factory building. A connecting corridor between the buildings was also created. The extension is covered with a structural wall with perforated CORTEN steel panels. Also the roof of the smaller building was designed using materials that matched wall panels.

Documentation

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