History of the Solna 6 Residential Complex

Location: 53 Solna Street, 61-735 Poznań, Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland
Architects: JEMS Architects
Area: 7,620 m²
Year: 2025
Photography: Marysia Kot
Client: Deweloper Ident

Contextual Sensitivity and Historical Dialogue

Nestled at the base of St. Adalbert Hill in Poznań, the Solna 6 residential complex by JEMS Architects strikes a delicate balance between modernity and the site’s rich historical fabric. Adjacent to a 16th-century Carmelite monastery, the project reinterprets the area’s heritage through soft-curved volumes that weave around mature trees, preserving the wild charm of the former monastery garden. The design rejects rigid geometries in favor of organic forms, creating a dialogue with the surrounding landscape while minimizing ecological disruption.

Innovative Materiality and Thermal Performance

The facade employs a double-layer concrete wall system with varying material densities, eliminating the need for traditional insulation. This innovative approach leverages thermal mass to regulate indoor temperatures absorbing heat by day and releasing it at night reducing reliance on mechanical systems. The textured, warm-toned plaster finish enhances the building’s tactile quality, echoing the site’s natural textures. Deep-set windows and continuous concrete sills further optimize thermal efficiency while adding rhythmic depth to the elevations.

Spatial Logic and Panoramic Living

Inside, the apartments follow an enfilade layout, with rooms aligned to frame panoramic views of the monastery, tree canopies, and urban streetscape. Units range from 45 to 160 m², emphasizing openness and visual connectivity. Loggias act as outdoor extensions, blurring the line between interior and exterior. The design prioritizes controlled sightlines, ensuring each window captures a curated vignette of the context.

Landscape Integration and Environmental Strategy

The landscape design retains the site’s untamed character, with permeable stone paving and native plantings. Green roofs manage stormwater and support biodiversity, while underground garages are minimized to protect root systems. The architects’ decision to limit density despite zoning allowances reflects a commitment to ecological and spatial restraint.

Material Palette and Artistic Detailing

Common areas feature terrazzo floors, ceramic wall panels, and wooden railings, complementing the project’s natural ethos. Sculptural elements, like Tomasz Trzópek’s wooden entrance portals, integrate art into the architecture. The railings’ intricate geometry mirrors the facade’s fluidity, underscoring JEMS’ attention to detail.

Conclusion: A Model of Contextual Architecture

Solna 6 stands as a testament to restraint and contextual awareness. By prioritizing harmony over monumentality, JEMS Architects deliver a residential project that feels both timeless and deeply rooted in its environment.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Solna 6 complex masterfully bridges historical reverence and contemporary sustainability, its curved forms and thermal innovation setting a benchmark for contextual design. However, the project’s subdued material palette while elegant risks blending too quietly into its surroundings, potentially limiting its visual impact in a competitive urban landscape. That said, the deliberate avoidance of density and the integration of artistic detailing elevate it beyond mere functionality, offering a poetic reminder that architecture can be both silent and profound.

Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences

ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums.
Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural newsworldwide.
ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven opportunities across the globe.