Exposed or disguised? the hierarchy of form and function in case study analysis of recent industrial architecture in Lower Silesia

The gradation of architectonic setting, i.e. formal hierarchy according to representative or utilitarian character of a space is quite common for all architecture. In the architecture of manufacturing plants and warehouses such hierarchy does not always exist. The whole build-up area of a site can be regarded as strictly utilitarian and receives most pragmatic standard form with no will to seek for Venustas (beauty), one of three factors constituting architectural work according to Vitruvius. What is more there are many reasons for locating large scale industrial buildings in bigger clusters. Most of new industrial premises in Poland are located in special economic zones. If deprived of any individual character and functional diversity they create insipid, inanimate zones - a backup alienated of urban context. In Poland it is quite unique to set in a master-plan and than enforce any challenging requirements as to the appearance of buildings in special economic zones. Local authorities searching to acquire investors who would provide employment to local communities tend to avoid discouraging obstacles. In some cases however enterprises themselves show the will to achieve some aesthetic value in their buildings. Only then an architect may strive for difficult to define but obvious to observe quality within specific constrains of industrial architecture.

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Artykuł prezentuje typologię założeń przemysłowych pod kątem hierarchii ich formy i funkcji. Omawiana hierarchia wyraża się w różnicowaniu formy zewnętrznej odmiennych funkcjonalnie części budynku oraz ich eksponowanej lub ukrytej lokalizacji na działce, z punktu widzenia przylegających dróg i strefy wejściowej. Typologia bazuje na analizie wybranych, ostatnio wybudowanych na Dolnym Śląsku fabryk i magazynów. Obejmuje ona układy powstające na terenach dotąd niezabudowanych, jak też rozbudowy zespołów istniejących.