Competition for an Alternative Vision of the Arsenał and Sukiennice on Poznań’s Old Market Square

Competition for an Alternative Vision of the Arsenał and Sukiennice on Poznań’s Old Market Square

Today marks the launch of this year’s edition of the competition organized by Architektoniczna Rewolta Poland and the Rekonstrukcje i Odbudowy Foundation. Following the success of last year’s edition, which was devoted to a building in Tarnów, this time the task is to redesign a complex of buildings located in the heart of Poznań’s Old Town. The subject of the competition is the highly controversial modernist Arsenał complex, together with the adjacent Sukiennice.

The competition has an open format—anyone interested may take part—and cash prizes await the authors of the best projects.

Now It’s Time for Poznań!

This is already the second initiative of this kind organized by Architektoniczna Rewolta Poland. Last year, participants were invited to present their own ideas for the redevelopment of a building on Wielkie Schody Street in Tarnów. This year, the competition task is to propose a concept for a new development on the site of the existing buildings or their transformation. The focus is on the well-known Arsenał complex and the adjacent Sukiennice, designed in a similar architectural style.

The aim of the competition is to present an original idea—using graphics, drawings, or any other technique—that fully respects and takes into account the historical value of the site and the character of the surrounding buildings. The new conceptmust be designed in the spirit of historic development, using a selected pre-modernist architectural style.

Importantly, this is not a competition for a professional architectural design, and participation is open to everyone.

History of the Existing Buildings

The development of this plot on Poznań’s Old Market Square after World War II was the subject of numerous debates. The lack of detailed iconographic sources concerning the former Sukiennice turned the area into a testing ground for various architectural concepts. In 1954, a competition was announced for the development of the site of the former Sukiennice. The Arsenał and Sukiennice were ultimately designed as modern pavilions, based on authentic historical foundations.

Originally, the Arsenał was intended to house an electronics store and service center, while the Sukiennice were planned as retail outlets for Cepelia. After opening in 1962, however, the first building became home to the Bureau of Artistic Exhibitions, and the second to the Greater Poland Military Museum. These institutions remain there to this day.

The modern development of this part of the Old Market Square is regarded as one of the most controversial examples of post-war architecture in Poznań and continues to provoke mixed reactions, including significant criticism.

Prizes and Selection of Winners

The competition consists of two stages. In the first stage, participants may submit their works until April 5, 2026. The organizers will then select the best entries to advance to the second stage. After the shortlisted projects are announced, a public vote will take place on April 26. The projects receiving the highest number of votes will be awarded cash prizes.

1st prize: PLN 1,000

2nd prize: PLN 600

3rd prize: PLN 400

Everyone is invited to participate. Detailed information can be found in the competition regulations. Questions may be sent to: architektoniczna@rewolta.org

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Competition organizers:

Architektoniczna Rewolta Polska 

Fundacja Rekonstrukcje i Odbudowy 

Competition partner:

Architectural Uprising – International