Poznan.pl, oficjalna strona Miasta Poznania

Each year, the competition's chapter, made up of urban planners and specialists in architectural accessibility and universal design, as well as experts nominated by the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland, awards prizes in eight categories. In each of them, an investment is selected that is characterised by universality of use, while creating inclusive conditions for society, where everyone can freely use the solutions offered, regardless of individual needs. Such solutions were found in Nowy Rynek E, which received an award in the "Office/Commercial Building' category.
- Nowy Rynek E is a perfect reflection of accessible and inclusive architecture. It is characterised by solutions that remove architectural barriers, making it fully accessible to neuroatypical people and people with various disabilities, as well as parents with children, the elderly, people with temporary disabilities or those who do not speak Polish - says Konrad Ziejewski, project director at Skanska's office company in Central and Eastern Europe. - For many years we have been listening to the needs and expectations of building users, implementing assumptions developed together with the Integration Foundation. And we share examples of these solutions within the framework of the "Switch' guide we are preparing. It outlines the problems that people with various disabilities may encounter in their everyday life and suggests how, by introducing even minor changes, buildings can be designed to be friendly and open to everyone,' adds Konrad Ziejewski.

Openness to needs
The uniqueness of the Nowy Rynek E office building and its outdoor patio is characterised by a variety of architectural solutions that not only improve mobility, but also significantly enhance working comfort. In addition to wide and adapted passageways, handles and readers at the right height or signage that is visible to all, the building has been equipped with lifts with a voice function and panels marked in Braille, and the reception desk has been designed with a countertop suitable for use by wheelchair users and an induction loop for the hard of hearing.

The building's spaces are also equipped with lighting in natural and warm colours or with soundproofing materials to favour those with higher noise sensitivity. Nowy Rynek E also features spaces full of vegetation for relaxation and tranquillity. These include an outdoor patio, designed without any steps or stairs, which invites different generations to visit. Older people usually enjoy relaxing on benches under the shade of tall trees or by the brine graduation towers. The youngest, on the other hand, can be found playing by the fountain and on the trampolines.
Nowy Rynek E is another Skanska investment with the "Accessibility Leader' award. In earlier editions, two Wrocław office buildings - Centrum Południe and Nowy Targ - received it.