“The competition jury decided to award the Grand Prix to PB Studio, IPA, and Studio Mania for the design of the Neighborhood Center and Public Library Branch in Gdynia.

The awarded project is small in scale, yet carries profound social significance. The authors realized their design in a highly challenging location at a major road intersection. Through a creative approach, what was once an urban void was transformed into a vibrant public realm—a dedicated hub for gathering and community interaction. The architectural language is defined by a striking yet restrained building volume acting as a neighborhood gateway, paired with an elegantly simple material palette featuring vertical wooden fins, light terrazzo, and warm-white facades. The combined functions of the neighborhood center, library, and an internal courtyard seamlessly bridge social and generational divides, creating a versatile space for local initiatives.

The jury wishes to emphasize the critical importance of such public architecture in a society where growing loneliness and isolation stem directly from economic and technological shifts. As the Association of Polish Architects (SARP), we urge national and local authorities to foster the development of neighborhood centers as democratic spaces that promote social integration and alleviate societal divisions.”

The Neighborhood Center in Gdynia also won First Prize in the “Other Public Utility Building” category.