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Park Akcji “Burza” – a Symbol of Modern Warsaw and Europe’s Best Public Space

 

Warsaw’s Park Akcji “Burza” has been awarded the title of the best public space in Europe, standing out for its innovative approach to urbanism and historical memory. Honored with the European Prize for Urban Public Space 2024, the park exemplifies how an urban space can blend history with everyday life.

 

Zdjęcie: Michał Szlaga

 

Warsaw’s Park Akcji “Burza” has received the prestigious European Prize for Urban Public Space 2024. This award, granted by the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, recognizes projects that enrich urban life, combining aesthetics with functionality, as well as social and ecological values. Transforming the Warsaw Uprising Mound through a collaborative effort between ArchiGrest, topoScape, and Warsaw’s Greenery Management, this project brings new life to a historical site in the capital.

 

The Warsaw Uprising Mound, formed from the city’s post-WWII rubble, has become a symbolic point where history meets the future. As Maciej Kaufmann from ArchiGrest explained in an interview with Architecture Snob: “We wanted the mound not only to speak of the past but also to live and grow with the city’s rhythm.” Co-founder Marcin Maraszek added, “This is a space that evolves over time, where raw concrete structures will gradually blend into the landscape, be covered with greenery, and where nature will take partial control.”

 

Photos: Michał Szlaga

 

Park Akcji “Burza” is a living space, designed to change over time. Concrete walls made of rubble will gradually be overgrown with vegetation, creating a structure that evolves with its surroundings. This approach gives the project a dynamic character; it is not a static monument but a living structure that resonates with visitors and becomes part of their everyday experience. This well-conceived, “living” design allows Warsaw residents both relaxation and a connection to the city’s history in an open, adaptable environment.

 

The project was also awarded the Grand Prix of the Warsaw Mayor’s Architecture Award, highlighting its significance to the city’s landscape and providing inspiration for future public space projects. Park Akcji “Burza” proves that public spaces can be places for reflection that invite multi-layered experiences and naturally blend into the urban fabric over time.

 

Photo: Vlad Baranov

 

As Maciej Kaufmann and Marcin Maraszek emphasized in an interview with Architecture Snob, the realization of Park Akcji “Burza” required both technical knowledge and a deep understanding of Warsaw’s history. “We wanted the park to speak of the process of rebuilding and the continuous transformation of the city,” said Kaufmann. Maraszek added, “This is a space that will change over time, revealing the natural beauty of raw materials like concrete rubble, which may initially seem harsh but will blend into nature over time.” Read more about the vision and challenges behind this project in the full interview in the latest issue of Architecture Snob, available at Empik stores.