Roots. Institute of Genealogy and Heritage

Gdańsk Technical University (Politechnika Gdańska), Faculty of Architecture, Gdańsk

Project idea

The proposed building is the Institute of Genealogy and Heritage in Toruń, Poland – a place dedicated to memory, ancestry, and the search for personal identity. The institute combines research, educational, exhibition, and community functions, creating a space where family history becomes a starting point for dialogue about people, the past, and intergenerational relationships.

The central concept of the project is roots – both literal roots connected to the earth, nature, and place, and symbolic roots representing family, culture, emotions, and identity. The building is elevated on columns that symbolize a tree trunk growing from the ground. Its structure reflects the natural process of growth: from hidden roots, through a stable trunk, to expanding branches that represent the development of knowledge, memory, and human connections.

Here, roots become a metaphor for origin, belonging, and continuity. The institute is not only a research facility but also a place where everyone can find a fragment of their own story and understand that identity, much like a tree, grows from what often remains hidden beneath the surface.

Project description

The Institute of Genealogy and Heritage is a multidisciplinary public facility that combines research, education, culture, and community engagement. The building is designed as a center for discovering, preserving, and sharing family histories and cultural heritage.

The program includes a genealogy library, digital archives, exhibition spaces, research and consultation rooms, educational workshops, conference facilities, coworking areas, administrative offices, and a public café. Visitors can access historical records, explore digital databases, participate in workshops, attend lectures and exhibitions, and receive support from genealogy specialists.

Beneath the building, an open and flexible public space is created for workshops, artistic installations, outdoor exhibitions, and community events. Rather than functioning as a closed archive, the architecture allows history and heritage to become part of everyday urban life, creating a dialogue between the past and the present.

The project creates a platform where historical research, modern technology, and public participation intersect. By bringing together archives, educational programs, exhibitions, and social spaces, the institute promotes cultural awareness, intergenerational dialogue, and a deeper understanding of personal and collective heritage.

Technical information

The building is located in Toruń, Poland, within the developing urban district known as "Nowe Centrum". The total floor area is approximately 4,379 m², with four above-ground levels and one underground level. The building reaches a height of 19.08 metres.

The structural system is based on a hybrid construction combining reinforced concrete and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). Reinforced concrete is used for the underground parking structure, cores and primary load-bearing elements, while CLT is applied in upper floors and selected structural walls. The façade combines large glazed surfaces with timber cladding, creating a warm and contemporary architectural expression.

The project incorporates sustainable design strategies, including green roofs, rain gardens, greywater retention systems, high-performance thermal insulation and energy-efficient mechanical ventilation. The building is fully accessible and designed in accordance with current fire safety, environmental and accessibility regulations.