BELANSKÁ, V. Industriální metamorfóza [online]. Brno: Vysoké učení technické v Brně. Fakulta architektury. 2025.
Among the proposed social infrastructure, Vilma identified a primary school as the most critical component — a planning decision that is both justified and forward-thinking, given the scale of the proposed housing estate. She developed the school design in detail, proposing the adaptive reuse of the existing factory structure for this purpose. Despite the factory’s partially deteriorated condition, its scale and structural layout turned out to be perfectly suited for a school. The transformation of a former housing factory into a "factory of knowledge" is both symbolic and functionally effective. While adaptive reuse often involves design compromises, in this case, it resulted in a model solution. The detailed and smart design of the school and great effort and time dedication, justifies some lack of the informative diagrammatic representation of the whole masterplan which would help to understand the zoning and urban planning process better. However, the submitted graphic material demonstrates a high level of aesthetic quality and creativity. Having been part of a master planning team for the same area in 2017–2018 (which produced the “Warsaw Social District” proposal for the municipality), I find it especially inspiring to see a young student tackling similar issues from a fresh, contemporary perspective — one that is particularly sensitive to reuse and the overlooked aspects of context and history. Vilma has demonstrated a great dedication and creativity during her whole studies course. She’s been very engaged in the Student Quarter: Plac Defilad exhibition in Warsaw preparation, even during diploma semester. Her two exhibited projects were very positively received by the audience. As tutors, we always could count on Vilma. She’s been always actively engaged in the faculty and studio life, becoming an important member of the community and now - also a young, mature designer. Vilma, you will be missed and you deserve the highest grade! A (100).
| Kritérium | Známka | Body | Slovní hodnocení |
|---|---|---|---|
| Přístup studenta ke zpracování | A | As Vilma Belanska’s supervisor and studio tutor for several semesters, together with co-tutor Kacper Kępiński, I have had the privilege of witnessing her remarkable growth, dedication, and creative maturity, culminated with a successful and elaborated master thesis “Industrial Metamorphosis” and many more valuable projects and initiatives along the way of her studies. Vilma's thesis demonstrates her high competence and commitment in analyzing historical, social, economic and spatial conditions. She addressed pressing contemporary challenges in the construction sector, particularly the urgent need for the reuse of materials, buildings, and urban spaces. During the pre-diploma semester, she has conducted an elaborated research and produced a structured, complex and in-depth knowledge base on the topic of Warsaw’s industrial history and its past and current spatial manifestations. Moreover, taking into account specificity of the chosen plot (former prefab housing factory premises in Warsaw on the border of Bemowo and Wola district, Ulrychów area), the author has traced the history and features of panel housing and proposed also modular, yet not repetitive nor boring residential architecture. The choice of the plot was the author’s decision after the in-depth analysis of the neglected locations in the area, during pre-diploma semester. The zoning plan regulations have been taken into account. The structure of the work is extremely clear and methodologically organized. The proposed urban mining method in terms of reuse of salvaged material is not an empty slogan — it is a data-driven, critically approached strategy — the author has made an effort to map all the potentials of the plot during two site visits to Warsaw, including the types of materials to be recycled or reused on site, remaining building structures, ground surfaces, greenery. It has been all described in the actual numeric values (surface, volume, weight, amount…) with implementation proposal, making the project scientifically proven and valuable. The resulting masterplan is a successful synthesis of reuse strategies and new construction for both public and residential functions. It balances high-density housing — essential in central urban areas — with contextual sensitivity. The masterplan features a clear spatial hierarchy, well-defined access routes for pedestrians and vehicles, and an intuitive division into colonies, quarters, and courtyards. It offers diverse public spaces and urban interiors, thoughtfully addressing the needs of future residents and their neighbors. These leisure areas — some central, others more secluded — create excellent conditions for fostering community integration. |
This project really stands out as a responsible and thoughtful piece of architectural and urban design. Vilma takes on a complex subject — the transformation of brownfield and industrial heritage — and does it with a level of maturity that's genuinely impressive for a diploma project. Right from the beginning, it’s clear that the work is grounded in research and data, and the architectural idea holds the proposal together in a clear and coherent way. One of the strongest aspects is how the project responds to the urban context. The design shows real care for the surroundings and offers well-thought-out improvements to the neighborhood. The public spaces follow contemporary urban design principles and feel welcoming and people-oriented. However, at times it’s hard to fully understand how these public spaces work in relation to each other. A clearer diagram or ideogram showing the spatial concept could help here. It feels like a bit of a missed opportunity not to zoom in more on one specific area to fully show its potential. The environmental thinking behind the project is another strong point. The analysis comparing demolition and reuse is convincing and shows that Vilma understands the ecological weight of architectural decisions. The focus on circular economy principles and urban mining is timely and shows that the architect sees herself as someone who has a responsibility in the reality of the climate crisis. This awareness is well-integrated into the design approach. The adaptive reuse strategy is particularly well done. The way the existing industrial hall is transformed into a school is smart and sensitive. It respects the existing structure and works well within its spatial and functional limits. The floor plans show a strong understanding of how to organize complex programs, especially when inserting new functions into an old building. There’s a solid historical layer in the project as well. The background provided is enough to understand the context and support the design decisions, without becoming overwhelming. The chosen program fits the site and the neighborhood well, and the scale of intervention feels appropriate. Some ideas, like the climbing walls in the towers, are fun, original, and help bring life into the space. On the other hand, the concept of the library inside the silos could have been developed a bit more — the drawings don’t quite explain how that space would actually work or why it’s the right place for that function. Visually, the presentation is excellent. The layout, graphics, and overall consistency really help communicate the ideas clearly and professionally. It’s a well-crafted and polished project that reflects the quality of the design itself. In summary, this is a hopeful and relevant vision for post-industrial sites, built on principles of circular design, environmental responsibility, and architectural care. While there are still a few areas that could be pushed further — particularly detailed design of some public spaces — the work as a whole is impressive, convincing, and adequate for temporar challenges.
eVSKP id 167709