URBAN CONCEPT
Thinking of improvement of biking infrastructure in Warsaw made me thinking of general divisions and connections along and across the Vistula river. Looking at transversal and
longitudinal existing connections I got an idea of combined water traffic on the river as potential natural connector between main points of interest at both banks. The tradition of
spending leisure time on the beaches of the Vistula from the early 20th century and existing ports and barge traffic with potential gave me idea to tie barges and bikes in a new water
traffic system optimised for biking around the river. Visla barge trafiic calls for a design that promotes improvement of pedestrians and bike traffic and offers new recreational spaces
in the middle of dense vibrant bridge car trafic. Bajkoboat will not only become urban meeting point but also main connector with nature surroundings and it will connect all
transversal and longitudinal rail, pedestrian, car and bike passages. Zegrzynskie lake would be final destination of recreational path with very nice impression of beautiful canal
barging experience as almost touristic attraction.
Detailed analysis of meeting points on both banks made me think of programmed crossings and organised barge lines along the river. I divided two main paths: recreational and every
day path. Docks and ports are placed near bridges, shaded promenades, waterfront restaurants, spaces for outdoor activites making Vistula an attractive destination in the city rather
than an obstacle. The design challenge is not only to bring river to bikers and nature lovers, it is also about urban connectivity. All city districts on Vistula like Mokotow or Praga will
be indirect link to all Vistula distant areas like Wesola or Ursus. Not only time saving and alternative but easyness of carrying bike and taking rest at opened nature oriented barge
makes Bajkoboat an excellent idea.
BARGE ARCHITECTURE
The starting idea was to tie barge and bike in such construction that would provide very comfortable and pleasant transport over
Vistula. A barge is very strong foundation and encouraged me to create something beyond boundaries of a hull. Main lead to this kind
of geometry was need for melding vivid surrounding site with human presence.
Rusty cloud created from strong structural grids and filled with spaces for bikers. A simple cube is sized to the human body and biking
standards. This module is repeated and modified to build a form that exists between the organic and the abstract, to create an
ambiguous, soft edged, strong structure that will blur boundaries between interior and exterior.
Bajkoboat is delicate three-dimensional latticed structure, composed of rusty metal grids which are simultaiously protecting visitors from
weather while allowing them to be a part of the landscape. Passengers can always create they own experience of this quiet trip on
Vistula. Movable boxes inside and outside of the barge hull and rusty bites on the elevations make it more fun and changing. Each
person is invited to find their seat and bike place which is convenient for their trip. The whole space is like cloud inside you can play,
lock your bike or repair it and find your point of interest. Inside some of the grids are connected with led-tubes that during night hours
give a special impression of this geometry.
The boxes inside are containers for bike repair and equipment, bike parkings, and cafe. On the elevation there are outside oriented
boxes that are part of the whole structure making view almost fixated on river banks.