DOI: 10.5277/ARCHITECTUS

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Articles

Małgorzata Chorowska, Roland Mruczek - What did Książ Castle look like around 1300?

doi:10.37190/arc250201

This article examines the earliest construction phase of Książ Castle, which due to the ambiguity of written sources and extensive structural transformations of the building, is difficult to determine unambiguously. Based on research results conducted in 2022 and 2023, the authors attempted to reconstruct the origins of this structure.

The research confirmed that the main tower functioning as a bergfried with a deep dungeon could have been built at the earliest in the last two decades of the 13th century. A complete novelty was the finding that simultaneously with it, or slightly later, the perimeter wall of the upper castle and the northern wing were erected. In light of the conducted research, the function of Książ’s upper castle as Duke Bolko I’s residence can be confirmed. The monumental structure became a manifestation of Bolko’s power over the duchy.

Keywords:

    silesia

    książ

    castle

    medieval

    donjon

    bergfried

Milan Sýkora, Paweł Konczewski, Radosław Biel - Ronow Castle in Trzciniec – interdisciplinary research on a medieval stronghold at the Czech-Lusatian borderland

doi:10.37190/arc250202

Ronow Castle in Trzciniec near Bogatynia, associated with the noble Ronovec family, played a crucial political and military role in the region from the 13th to 15th centuries, yet remains poorly recognized in Polish academic literature.

This article presents the results of interdisciplinary research conducted in 2022 using traditional historical methodology combined with modern spatial documentation techniques including LiDAR. A functional division of the castle area into four zones was established: forefield, external fortifications, outer bailey, and the main castle proper. The results enabled verification of some previous hypotheses and indicated the need for continued research using geophysical and archaeological methods.

Keywords:

    medieval

    castle

    upper lusatia

    ronow

    lidar

Ezequiel Uson Guardiola, José Antonio Gárate Alcalde, Víctor Jørgensen-Mínguez, Eva Espuny Camacho - A hidden history in the Burgos Cathedral (Spain): virtual reconstruction of light effects generated in the 15th-century chapel of the Conception of Our Lady or St. Anne

doi:10.37190/arc250203

Special light effects, popularly known as “light miracles,” appear during solstices or equinoxes in three medieval churches located in the Spanish city of Burgos and its surroundings. These hierophanies can be observed in sacred buildings designed and constructed by medieval architects associated with the “taller de los Colonia” workshop. This article virtually reconstructs these light effects using solar lighting simulation software and analyzes the methods of their generation.

Keywords:

    light effects

    juan de colonia workshop

    burgos cathedral

    chapel of the conception

    solar lighting simulation software

Ulrich Schaaf, Maciej Prarat, Daria Jagiełło, Magdalena Kumorowicz-Brzeska - Architecture and building technology of the 16th-century half-timbered church in Byków

doi:10.37190/arc250204

In 2022, architectural research was conducted on the former evangelical church, now the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Byków, dating to 1574. The church underwent significant expansion and reconstruction over the following centuries that dramatically changed its form.

Based on the research findings, it was established that the original church was built in half-timbered construction, consisting of a nave section and an elongated, three-sided closed choir to the east and a tower to the west. The nave and choir were covered with gabled roofs with collar beam trusses.

Keywords:

    church

    16th century

    half-timbered construction

    architectural research

    byków

Branislav Antonić, Aleksandar Grujičić, Djordje Mitrović, Nikola Mitrović - Public squares in Southern Pannonian cities as a legacy of Habsburg regulations: the case of Holy Trinity Square in Sombor, Serbia

doi:10.37190/arc250205

Settlements in southern Pannonia are known for their well-regulated urban matrix, which developed after the Habsburgs regained this peripheral region of Central Europe from the Turks in the 17th-18th centuries. Previous destructive wars left this land as a “tabula rasa” – barren and seriously underpopulated.

This study focuses on public squares in the historical centers of southern Pannonian cities in Serbia. A case study of Holy Trinity Square in the city of Sombor was presented. This square is suitable for historical-morphological analysis because it has not changed significantly over the past 150 years, providing insight into Habsburg urban regulation.

Keywords:

    public square

    urban morphology

    colonial urbanism

    early modern city

    habsburg empire

Wojciech Niebrzydowski, Agnieszka Duniewicz - Haptic features of brutalist architecture expressed in projects and buildings

doi:10.37190/arc250206

The article addresses the reception of tactile and kinesthetic sensations by users of architectural space. The authors present the second phase of a two-stage research procedure concerning the haptic nature of brutalist architecture. The conducted research represents an attempt to identify and scientifically organize haptic elements in brutalist works.

The main goal of the research was to discover, name, and scientifically organize elements of haptic aesthetics present in brutalist architecture works. The authors identified features based on tactile aspects and the cooperation of touch with other senses. The research confirmed the strongly haptic character of brutalism, based on tactile experiences and haptic imagination.

Keywords:

    brutalist architecture

    haptics

    touch in architecture

    multisensory design

    brutalism

Article Authors - Innovative approaches to sustainable architecture in contemporary urban planning

doi:10.37190/arc250207

This article examines innovative approaches to sustainable architecture within the context of contemporary urban planning practices. The research explores how modern architectural solutions can contribute to environmental sustainability while addressing the complex challenges of urban development.

The findings demonstrate the potential for innovative architectural approaches to significantly improve urban sustainability outcomes while maintaining functional and aesthetic quality in built environments.

Keywords:

    sustainable architecture

    urban planning

    innovation

    contemporary city

    environment

Anna Steuer-Jurek - Public greenery in Głogówek from the 19th century to the present day: An analysis of historical and compositional changes

doi:10.37190/arc250208

Public greenery constitutes an essential element of a city’s urban layout. In Głogówek, the first arrangements of composed public greenery were noticed in the 19th century. Along with industrial development and city expansion, new municipal public gardens were created – forming a clear system in the spatial layout.

The article outlines the characteristics of public greenery in Głogówek and analyzes the changes that occurred from the 19th century to contemporary times. After analyzing the research results, it can be concluded that consciously shaped public greenery has great significance – it is one of the expressions of place identity.

Keywords:

    urban public gardens

    urban landscape

    place identity

    green systems

    silesia

Iwona Dudek - Text versus visualization in the presentation of diachronic analyses of historical objects on the example of the Saint-Nicolas fort in Marseille

doi:10.37190/arc250209

The article addresses the communication of knowledge about the evolution of architectural objects. The author’s goal is to emphasize the impact of the form of communication and spatial discrimination applied in analysis on the clarity and level of understanding of presented propositions. The work is based on a diachronic analysis of the Saint-Nicolas fort in Marseille.

Even a cursory analysis of the obtained diagrams shows the specificity and evolutionary independence of individual fort parts and significant differences in the interpretation of the same data by individual analysts. The article presents an analysis of the results and emphasizes the most important differences between traditional communication methods and forms utilizing information visualization.

Keywords:

    diachrony

    architecture

    fortifications

    representation

    information and knowledge visualization

Łukasz Wojciechowski, Andreas Wolf - Simplifying architectural space based on design experience

doi:10.37190/arc250210

The article addresses the process of space improvement in buildings that serves to introduce clear and intuitive usage layouts. The goal guiding the authors was to discuss the main features of work on building optimization while considering numerous variables in the investment process. The authors presented methods of simplifying architectural space in relation to initial design assumptions based on complex functional programs.

Simplification is associated with increasing building readability and enabling intuitive navigation for its users. The conclusions were also illustrated with diagrams that can serve as universal design guidelines.

Keywords:

    contemporary architecture

    functional program

    simple architecture

    space simplification

    architectural design

Article Authors - Digital transformation in architectural education: Integrating BIM and parametric design methodologies

doi:10.37190/arc250211

This article explores the digital transformation occurring in architectural education, with particular focus on the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and parametric design methodologies into contemporary curricula. The research examines how these technological approaches are reshaping architectural pedagogy and professional preparation.

The findings demonstrate the transformative potential of digital technologies in architectural education while highlighting the need for comprehensive integration strategies that balance technical skills with fundamental design principles.

Keywords:

    architectural education

    bim

    parametric design

    digital transformation

    design methodologies

Konrad Lewacki, Marta Smektała, Magdalena Baborska-Narożny - Generalization of GIS data as a tool supporting the understanding of the urban heat island effect. Case study of the city of Wrocław

doi:10.37190/arc250212

The article addresses the impact of individual urban factors on the urban heat island (UHI) effect and the correlation between these factors. The authors attempted to verify the possibility of using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to study the UHI effect using Wrocław as an example.

The conducted research demonstrated how individual factors affect ambient temperature. Building density and height significantly increase radiant temperature, while the presence of water and vegetation has a cooling effect. The authors’ goal was to identify areas representative of urban fabric where further research stages could be conducted – local air temperature measurements.

Keywords:

    gis analysis

    urban heat island

    landsat

    radiant temperature

    natural cooling potential