Masterplan of the Castle Area in Świecie and the concept of adapting the Teutonic Castle for cultural and artistic purposes

The ongoing revitalization of the Teutonic Castle in Świecie, which also encompasses the surrounding area, is just the beginning of a much more ambitious undertaking. The city authorities are viewing this fragment of space from a broader perspective – they don't view the castle solely as a relic of the past or a medieval fortress, but rather as a fresh brand that has the potential to transform into a modern space for culture, education, and tourism.

The APA Wojciechowski Architects architectural studio, with The Making as strategic advisor, was responsible for developing a coherent concept. Their analysis is not limited to the castle itself; it also encompasses the city's connections with the market square, Świecie's panoramic view, the vast Vistula River valley, and the Natura 2000 area, which is treated here as an inextricable part of the cultural and natural landscape. The directions for Świecie were developed in accordance with the recommendations of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policy and Sustainable Development; this conference sets the global framework for cultural policy and promotes the integration of culture into the goals of broadly defined sustainable development. In this methodology, culture does not function as a separate sector – on the contrary, it intersects and integrates social, environmental, and economic issues. In Świecie's case, these principles were specifically reflected in the structure of the master plan, both in the formulation of spatial assumptions, the relationship with the Natura 2000 area, and in the construction of the functional program.

From the beginning of the design work, we adopted a holistic approach. We comprehensively analyzed the viewpoints, connections with the market square, communication, and the landscape of the Vistula River valley, treating Natura 2000 area as a structural asset of the site, not a limitation. We worked on relationships, not objects. Thus, the protected landscape became our design framework. The concept aligns with the latest trends in thinking about heritage after 2030, where culture integrates social, educational, and environmental development. We approached the future of the Teutonic Castle with care and respect for its historical heritage, creating a concept for its development for cultural and artistic purposes, which is an integral part of the master plan. We incorporated modularity into the design – its individual elements will be able to be implemented independently of each other in a coherent manner.

Functional analyses and tests were conducted simultaneously to assess the castle's adaptability. The conclusions confirmed that the historic infrastructure, in addition to its unique historical and architectural values, has its technical and conservation limitations. Therefore, development should be based not only on the fortress itself but also on the surrounding area as an integrated space for various functions. The castle is not treated as a separate product, but as part of a larger puzzle.

The result is a strategy that organizes investment directions, defines a roadmap of activities, and establishes a programmatic framework for the cultural and educational offerings. The masterplan treats the castle area as a system that combines heritage, landscape, education and tourism into one consistent vision of development.

A team composed of Szymon Wojciechowski, Katarzyna Burny, Kaja Kirilenko, Joanna Karlikowska-Fojt, Hubert Natorff, Anna Proszkuratowa and Matylda Wolska worked on the masterplan and concept for the cultural and artistic adaptation of the Teutonic Castle in Świecie. Renderings: Bartosz Trocha. Photo: Juliusz Sokołowski.