History of clay and ceramics through the eyes of Zofia Witkowska

The Ceramics Centre is located near Warsaw West Railway Station. The author drew inspiration from clay as a raw material, already present in the façades of surrounding buildings. Visitors to the Centre embark on a journey across continents and traditions – from China and Japan, where ceramics achieved the highest levels of refinement and artistic mastery, through the historical use of clay in architecture, to the countries of the Mediterranean basin.

Ceramics Centre - fragment of Zofia Witkowska's project

Symbolism and inspiration

The complex consists of three buildings connected by a shared hall at level –1. It is underground – at the symbolic source of the raw material – that the story of ceramics begins. At ground level, the volumes emerge like autonomous ceramic sculptures, evoking vessels formed from clay. The author was strongly inspired by the white architectural forms of Oscar Niemeyer.

Ceramics Centre - fragment of Zofia Witkowska's project

The largest building, located to the north, houses exhibition spaces dedicated to clay as a construction material, as well as workshops focused on construction and technology. The eastern building contains exhibitions devoted to utilitarian ceramics and porcelain, alongside art studios centred on artistic practice and sculpture. The smallest structure, located to the west, functions as a café and reading room – a space for reflection and relaxation. From within the buildings, visitors can clearly see the dome of the main hall, while outside, the complex is surrounded by an open-air exhibition area.

Ceramics Centre - fragment of Zofia Witkowska's project

The Ceramics Centre goes beyond the framework of a traditional museum. It is a place of learning, creative work and dialogue, integrating art, craft and architecture. The synergy of exhibition, artistic and social functions transforms the building into a dynamic space for knowledge exchange and direct experience.