New life for post industrial areas in Warsaw – an article by Dr Maria Arno

,,My research interests include the adaptation of architectural heritage to new functions in the face of contemporary social, urban and religious challenges, with particular attention to preserving the identity of places and their cultural values, as well as the protection of architectural heritage, especially religious heritage. I also study the conflicts and challenges associated with the desacralisation of religious buildings, including the tensions between the needs of heritage protection and the expectations of religious communities,” says Dr Arno from the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology. “At present, I am working on issues related to adapting post industrial and military sites to new functions.”

Three exceptional places on the map of Warsaw

In her article, the author analyses three key revitalisation projects in Warsaw’s post industrial areas that successfully combine contemporary architectural solutions with the memory of the historical industrial functions of these sites. At the outset of her work, Dr Arno established three key criteria for selecting the locations under study: territorial scope (sites located in Warsaw), time frame (the buildings had to have been extended or adapted within the past decade) and a research limitation (the analysed buildings are heritage structures dating from the late nineteenth or early twentieth century and share common architectural features).

New life for post-industrial areas in Warsaw, photo by Maria Arno

The article examines three sites: Centrum Praskie Koneser, Elektrownia Powiśle and Fabryka Norblina. Each project demonstrates how contemporary architecture can coexist with historical elements, creating spaces that respect the past while responding to the needs of modern urban life. Dr Arno’s aim was to present examples of adapting post industrial sites and buildings to multifunctional roles while preserving their industrial narratives, including the creation of museums or open air museums within these spaces. Establishing museums or retaining industrial elements and associations serves as a way of protecting Warsaw’s industrial heritage and preserving industrial symbols in the urban landscape, which have become an integral part of the city’s identity.

New life for post-industrial areas in Warsaw, photo by Maria Arno

The projects described by Dr Arno make use of relics of historic industrial architecture, deliberately referencing the industrial past of these sites. Despite strong investment pressure, high land prices and rising construction costs, an increasing number of investors recognise the importance of preserving fragments, and in some cases even entire complexes, of former industrial buildings. The revitalised areas serve not only residential, commercial and cultural functions, but also act as distinctive living monuments to the city’s industrial heritage. In this way, they contribute to reshaping Warsaw’s urban landscape, initiating a meaningful dialogue between history and modernity.

The author also examined whether the memory of the building’s original function has been preserved, whether the story conveyed by the site remains legible, and whether key elements referring to its former use have been retained. The research included an in depth analysis of the values and characteristics of the adapted structure. The examination of the project’s physical dimension therefore led to a reflection on the intangible aspects of architecture.

Change is also a challenge

The analysis of these three revitalisation projects, as the author notes, also highlights challenges and negative phenomena, such as the disappearance of traditional urban public spaces, their privatisation and, consequently, their commercialisation. Excessive aestheticisation of historic buildings and complexes may in turn lead to the loss of their historical value. Adapting architectural heritage to new functions creates a conflict between cultural (historical) value and functional (economic) value.

,,Introducing new divisions and extensions results in the loss of spatial coherence within the complexes. It is essential to maintain proper proportions and relationships between the original architectural fabric and new interventions, so that the new elements do not dominate the site’s original character. Respect for the material heritage of the historic substance is also of key importance,” Dr Arno writes in her study.

As Dr Maria Arno writes, a holistic approach is essential when adapting post industrial heritage to new functions, one that protects both the historic fabric and the cultural context. An ideal intervention brings new value while at the same time preserving the building’s original function and meaning, ensuring that it remains a witness to the past. It is important to retain the building’s historical, cultural and social significance, as well as its place within the urban landscape. This requires cooperation among all stakeholders, including public authorities, the academic community and local residents. Particular attention should be paid to the remnants of production equipment, such as devices, machinery, cranes, transport systems, technical installations, technical floors, channels and assembly structures. Their preservation should not be driven primarily by aesthetic considerations, but by the need to understand the building’s original industrial function.

New life for post-industrial areas in Warsaw, photo by Maria Arno

The author also draws attention to the phenomena of gentrification and commercialisation. These negative trends highlight the need for careful and balanced planning of transformations in post industrial areas, so as to preserve their historical significance while adapting them to contemporary needs.

The article ,,Integrating Museum Narratives in the Adaptation of Post Industrial Heritage to Multifunctional Buildings in Warsaw, Poland’' was written as part of the RND grant no. 504/05011/1010/43.012532 titled Adaptive Reuse Architecture, carried out from 5 May 2025 to 30 September 2026. It can be read here.