MASU teamed up with Kengo Kuma & Associates and Ingarden & Ewý Architects as part of the architectural competition for the CAMERIMAGE European Film Center in Torún, Poland. We have worked with Kengo Kuma on several other projects, including the winning proposal for the HC Andersen House of Fairytales in Odense.

The design for CAMERIMAGE intends to become a new public gateway to Torún’s UNESCO world heritage medieval centre. Moreover, it aims to reorganize the area into an open and well-functioning public space that links and unifies some of the most important public features of Torún’s city centre.

The landscape narrative is supported by 3 main themes:

Firstly, a continuous public space is portrayed by its ground pavement. The paving composition reveals the user flows through the varied intensities of its pattern. The pavement variations in size, texture and density contrast the elsewhere homogeneous granite stones. Hence, it generates a robust, elegant and versatile space of high quality.

Secondly, the public space opens up at the centre of the overall scheme to form the Grand Plaza. A space designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for many events of various types. Its design includes a paved hill, serving as an amphitheatre for events and concerts while maintaining the continuous and smooth public surface.

Thirdly, green structure and human scale are brought to the open space through plantings. These define smaller rooms that adapt to the human scale and change over seasons. Integrated benches appear at the edge of some green islands combined with the planting. Along with free standing furniture, tables and chairs, they define welcoming areas for meeting and staying. Made of robust material the benches are a permanent element underlining the overall outdoor design. In contrast, the free-standing furniture is easy to move and store away during temporary events.

In conclusion, the landscape allows the new landmark building to be well integrated into its immediate environment. Whilst offering a remarkable public space for Torún inhabitants and visitors.