Modern architecture in Gdynia – modernity and style

Modernism was the prevailing style in European architecture of the 1920s and 1930s – the time when Gdynia was being built. Its characteristics were noble simplicity, functionalism and advanced structural solutions. The style resulted in architecture that was beautiful and user-friendly, while offering unprecedented comfort of living and working. Large glazed areas were typical of the buildings designed and constructed at the time – whether tenements, smart villas or boarding houses – making them light and well-lit. But modern architecture in Gdynia is also public buildings and port warehouses, displaying the same features. The style, which makes Gdynia look very different from old towns and cities in Pomerania, includes marine motifs, e.g. porthole-like windows, streamlined or sharp volumes reminiscent of ship's bridge, hulls or superstructures, and exterior stairways like gangplanks. The designs were by Poland's leading architects, who made here numerous pieces of outstanding architecture – today the classics of modernism. There are few cities in Europe with such a large complex of modernist architecture as in Gdynia.

Built in 1936 to the design of architects Karpiński, Sieczkowski and Sołtyński. Owing to its avant-garde architecture, the building continues to be one of the symbols of modern Gdynia.

2. The Markets at 38, Wójta Radtkego


3. The ZUS (social insurance institution) building at 24, 10 Lutego

Designed by Roman Piotrowski for the ZUS, built in 1935-1936. A symbol of Gdynia's modernist architecture. It has typical modernistic features – simple form, light-coloured façade, much of it taken by windows. After WWII it was the Head Office of the Polish Ocean Lines, now the building hosts various companies and institutions.

4. A residential building of the BGK Bank Pension Fund, at the corner of 27-31, 3 Maja and 36, Batorego

5. The Seaman's House at 27, Jana z Kolna

6. The Swedish Seaman's House at 25, Jana z Kolna

7. The Hundsdorff family tenement at the corner of 7, Starowiejska and 2, Abrahama

8. Zygmunt Peszkowski's tenement at 14, Skwer Kościuszki

9. Jurkowski's tenement at 16, Skwer Kościuszki

10. The Pręczkowski family tenement at 10-12, Skwer Kościuszki

One of the first modernistic tenements in Gdynia, built in stages between 1928 and 1937. The architect, Tadeusz Jędrzejewski, designed bow-cornered volume reminiscent of naval architecture and a bridge-like turret.

11. The Polish Yachtsman's House at 3, Jana Pawła II

Designed by Bohdan Damięcki and Tadeusz Sieczkowski – one of the most characteristic historical buildings in Gdynia. Built in the Southern Pier a year before WWII broke out, it was meant as a yachting centre, but was never used as such. Today it houses the Faculty of Navigation of the Gdynia Maritime University, with a planetarium and a swimming pool – both open to the public.

12. The "Paged" company tenement at 44, Świętojańska

13. The Orłowski family tenement at 68, Świętojańska

Built in 1936, it is eye-catching owing to its sculptured volume of two merging parts. It is characteristic for its sandstone façade. Before WWII, the ground floor accommodated a fashionable department store; today – a bookshop.

14. The Krenski family tenement at the corner of 55, Świętojańska and 4, Żwirki i Wigury

15. The "Opolanka" multi-family house at 9, Piotra Skargi

Situated in the central part of Kamienna Góra, the house was built in 1936-1939 to the design of architect Prochaska. It is characteristic for its bow-cornered, dynamic volume.

16. Julian Rummel's villa at 34, Mickiewicza

17. Villa "Ala" at 27, Sienkiewicza

18. The "Gdynika" company office and apartment building at 39, Sienkiewicza

19. The POLSKAROB office building at 8/10, Korzeniowskiego

One of the few office buildings at Kamienna Góra. Designed by architects Płoski and Krzyżanowski, it was built in 1934-1935 for a transport company. Its form is functionalistic, with references to naval motifs – a rounded corner, a periscope-like superstructure and a round window at the arcaded entrance.

20. Countess Łosiowa's villa at 7, Korzeniowskiego

Commonly known as "Łosiówka," it was designed by a partnership of architects – Zbigniew Kupiec & Tadeusz Kossak. One of the best examples of the so-called cubic functionalism in Gdynia. It is now the seat of the military tribunal of the Navy.

21. The Twin Villa at 25/25a Korzeniowskiego

Built in 1936 to the design of a well-known partnership of Gdynia architects – Zbigniew Kupiec and Tadeusz Kossak. The villa is modernistic, with asymmetric elevations lined with characteristic yellow tiles. It is an example of refined functionalism.

22. Marian Piotrowski's villa at 1a, Sieroszewskiego

A plain-volume modernist building designed by Zbigniew Kupiec and Tadeusz Kossak and built in 1937. A very interesting example of modern architecture, with characteristic offset volumes, ceramic façade elements and stylish windows.

23. Ogończyk-Bloch and Mazalon's tenement at 122, Świętojańska

Built in 1936; what is most interesting about it is the glazed elevation of streamlined conservatories at the corner and the wavy balconies.