When the past meets the future: rediscovering Poland’s pioneering green architecture

In engineering, we often find ourselves at two extremes; working on brand new buildings filled with cutting edge technology, or on ageing structures that meet hardly any modern sustainability standards. The latter tends to be the most challenging out of the two, constrained by technical, legal, and heritage limitations. That’s why it’s rare to find an existing building that both surprises and inspires – proving that visionary ideas can stay ahead of their time. It’s a powerful reminder that in our everyday design work, courage and curiosity can push the boundaries of what seems impossible.

Exploring an 'Unfinished Prototype'

In November 2024, Cundall was invited to take part in a research project titled 'Unfinished Prototype', initiated by the Museum of Architecture in Wrocław as part of Poland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The project is set out to explore the ideas of Witold Lipiński, one of Poland’s most visionary architects. 

Lipiński’s career spanned the transformative post-war decades, a period marked by material shortages and limited access to technology. Despite these challenges, he pursued a bold architectural vision rooted in environmental awareness long before sustainability became part of mainstream discourse. His designs, from dome-shaped houses to organic forms inspired by the sun, embodied a deep harmony between people, technology, and nature. Today, his ideas resonate more strongly than ever, reminding us that true innovation transcends time.

The research focused on studying Lipiński’s concept of bioclimatic architecture through the example of his experimental home in Łask-Kolumna. Built in the 1980s, this extraordinary structure combines a residential section with an impressive greenhouse, known as the 'green room'. As part of the project, the team conducted a detailed analysis of the existing building and proposed potential upgrades to improve its environmental performance while staying true to Lipiński’s original bioclimatic vision. The interdisciplinary team brought together architects, building services engineers, landscape architect, sustainability experts, and architectural historians.

Pioneering design in challenging times

Today, designing with the environment in mind is the norm. Yet, as mentioned earlier, professor Lipiński was decades ahead of his time. In his reports, he described a visionary concept of the eco-friendly home. He believed it should not only be self-sufficient and affordable to operate but also foster wellbeing and a strong connection between the interior and the surrounding environment.

To achieve this, he proposed harnessing energy from unconventional sources, minimising heat loss, and maximising energy gains. His designs featured heat pumps, low-temperature radiators, solar collectors, and even a wind turbine, a complete system for sustainable energy supply. Equally forward-thinking were his water solutions such as greywater reuse, a private well, a micro wastewater treatment system, and automated irrigation for plants.

Biodiversity and the relationship between people and nature were central to his philosophy, elements that today form the core of sustainability certifications like BREEAM, LEED, and WELL. His 'green rooms’, located on the southern side of buildings, were designed as winter gardens improving indoor microclimate and serving as thermal buffers for natural ventilation.

Construction realities and unfinished ideas

One of Cundall’s tasks was to review the available technical documentation, create updated drawings, and build a full 3D model of the house. This allowed the team to compare Lipiński’s original plans with what was actually built, highlighting the differences, compromises, and unrealised ideas. The findings became the basis for further studies, including energy simulations and daylight analyses, carried out by other teams within the project.

It soon became clear how much the harsh realities of the late 1980s affected the outcome. Limited access to quality materials and technology meant that several of Lipiński’s sustainable strategies could not be implemented as intended. Key issues identified included:

• Temperature: poor insulation and numerous air leaks caused significant heat losses and high heating costs.
• Lighting: interiors were too dark, and shading in the greenhouse further reduced natural light. Furthermore, the design failed to consider the efficient use of sunlight.
• Heating: heat pumps were never installed, compromising system efficiency.
• Greenhouse: it failed to serve as a thermal buffer and utilise its natural, technological, and ecological potential, as envisioned by the design due to poor glazing and sealing.
• Technology: the lack of a heat recovery ventilation system and inefficient use of solar energy.

Reviving a vision with modern solutions

Each of these issues tells a valuable story, that even the best designs can face challenges beyond the creator’s control. But they also remind us how important it is to recognise and preserve groundbreaking ideas from the past.

For Cundall, the 'Unfinished Prototype' project was a rare opportunity to better understand Lipiński’s pioneering vision and contribute to its contemporary interpretation. It also provided an opportunity to share our extensive knowledge of sustainable construction. Through discussions with the current owner and technical analyses, we proposed a series of actions that could restore the building’s intended functionality and even enhance it with today’s technologies. Our recommendations included:

• Conducting airtightness tests, measuring the heat transfer coefficient of building partitions, analysing existing thermal bridges, and inspecting the quality of thermal insulation.
• Replacing windows and doors, improving insulation, and upgrading the greenhouse envelope to maximise passive gains.
• Modernising the heating system, for example with underfloor heating or fan coil units.
• Introducing a hybrid or mechanical ventilation system to reduce heat loss and improve indoor air quality.
• Revitalising the greenhouse as a functional thermal buffer, improving its tightness and using solar collectors, automated shading systems, and double glazing.
• Integrating heat storage features such as water ponds or heat-accumulating walls.
• Using the ground beneath the building to draw in cold air or regulate temperature by cooling the greenhouse at night.

With these interventions, Lipiński’s house could once again function as he envisioned; a living example of sustainable design where original creativity meets modern engineering.

A promising beginning

The project workshops and discussions, held both on-site and online, marked an inspiring first step toward the building’s renewal. Today, advanced measurements are being carried out inside the house using dozens of sensors that monitor temperature, humidity, air flow, and daylight levels. This data will help refine the proposed strategies and adapt them to the building’s real-world conditions. The current owners are deeply committed to restoring the property’s full potential, giving hope for a successful and meaningful outcome.

Beyond its technical value, this project is also an act of preservation. Keeping alive the legacy of one of Poland’s most important post-war architects. Witold Lipiński’s courage, imagination, and belief in harmony between humans and nature continue to inspire new generations of engineers and designers.

For us at Cundall, this project is a reminder of what drives our work every day: the pursuit of bold ideas, the courage to challenge convention, and the desire to make the seemingly impossible possible.

Image Credits:

Screenshots from Jonathan Ramsey’s YouTube videoblog, used with permission. Watch the full video here.

Additional photographs courtesy of Maciej Sawicki, the owner of the house.