HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL
Where We Are and a Look Back in Time:
Nestled in the picturesque village of Kopice, approximately 30 kilometers east of Szczecin and overlooking the Szczecin Lagoon, stands the Nowa Szkoła, or New School.
Constructed in 1913, this school building bears the architectural hallmarks of Prussian origins, speaking to a rich historical narrative. Despite its current state of disrepair, it remains a resilient testament to the enduring spirit of the community, having weathered the tumultuous storms of the Second World War. Serving as an educational institution until 1975, it was subsequently abandoned, a silent witness to the passage of time, gradually succumbing to neglect and decay.
As of the latest official statistics from 2021, Kopice is home to 129 inhabitants. Many among them trace their familial roots to the former eastern regions of Poland, now nestled within the borders of Belarus and western Ukraine. Although educational activities ceased at Nowa Szkoła in 1975, a significant portion of the village's residents received their formative schooling within its storied walls. For these individuals, the school holds profound memories, standing as a poignant landmark in the collective consciousness of the community.
In February 2021, amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the school building was put up for auction. Emerging triumphant as the successful bidder was the artist Zorka Wollny. However, the former owner contested the auction outcome through legal channels in a bid to reclaim ownership, though these efforts ultimately proved futile. Finally, in December 2023, the property, along with its 6000 square meters of land, was officially transferred to Wollny.
Never Forget: A New Future
The German-Polish history along both banks of the Oder River is fraught with trauma, painful memories, and lingering fears. It is imperative that we acknowledge and remember this past. However, amidst the shadows of history, lies an opportunity for transformation.
Enter Zorka Wollny & team, embarking on a mission to redefine this narrative. Their vision is to forge a new, shared, and uplifting chapter of German-Polish relations—one characterized by joy, peace, and mutual understanding. With steadfast neighbors and creative friends from both countries by her side, they endeavor to script a hopeful sequel, authoring a fresh chapter as Europeans.
THE NEW SCHOOL/
NOWA SZKOŁA
The Transformation:
The renovation of the school will unfold in sustainable phases, guided by environmentally friendly practices aimed at minimizing energy consumption and waste. Embracing sustainability as a core principle, our endeavors seek to reduce our ecological footprint while breathing new life into the space. Through a commitment to green initiatives, we aspire to set a model of responsible stewardship for generations to come.
Collaborating in this transformative journey are architectural teams Bia Studio and Hirschmüller Schindele Architects. With a focus on sustainable practices and historical preservation, these architects endeavor to rejuvenate the aging structure while honoring its Prussian heritage. Through meticulous planning and innovative design, the renovation project aims to infuse the building with renewed charm and functionality, transforming it into a vibrant hub for artistic expression and community engagement. Together, architects and the community of Kopice labor hand in hand, ensuring that the renovated school building and its surrounding amenities embody the spirit of artistic innovation and cultural exchange envisioned for the future.
Once refurbished, Nowa Szkoła will serve as a creative haven for an international community of artists, musicians, cultural theorists, and scholars. The project has garnered enthusiastic support from the residents of Kopice, as well as the mayor and local council. The school will house various functions, including spaces for research, rehearsals, presentations, special programs, and knowledge exchange formats such as summer schools or closed meetings of cultural organizations.
At its core are the six artist residencies, inviting individuals to sojourn for 3-6 months in the hamlet near the lagoon, offering opportunities for swimming and hiking through the adjacent nature reserve. Residents, selected by the Bay collective, will be chosen to complement each other's research, fostering a conducive environment for mutual knowledge exchange and inspiration during their stay.
The Neowa Szkoła, or New School, will be sustainably renovated in phases, emerging as a beacon of low-energy or zero-waste infrastructure. It will welcome artists and projects of diverse disciplines, with a particular emphasis on sound, music, visual arts, dance, theater, and literary endeavors.
PLANNED STRUCTURE
The school comprises three floors, a basement, and a garden.
Ground Floor - Center of Community Life
The western section of the ground floor will be transformed into a communal kitchen, providing resident artists with a space to gather, relax, and engage in shared culinary experiences. This versatile area will facilitate cooking, conversation, and immersion in the creative community. During summer months or public events, it seamlessly transitions into a vibrant bar/café/lounge, open to both visitors and Kopice residents, with direct access to the garden. Adjacent to this communal space, the ground floor will also host a spacious exhibition or concert hall, spanning two storeys high, offering ample room for artistic showcases and performances. Complementing this hall, a specially equipped workshop room will be available for dance practices, featuring a suitable floor conducive to movement. Additionally, in the southern wing of the building, a charming café with a terrace overlooking the garden is planned, providing a tranquil spot for relaxation and refreshments, and potentially accommodating passing cyclists during the summer months.
First Floor - Creative Workspace and Residential Quarters
The first floor of the building offers a dynamic blend of creative workspace and residential comfort. Four former classrooms will undergo a metamorphosis into a concert hall and multipurpose room, preserving their original dimensions while featuring lowered ceilings and direct garden access. Meanwhile, a classroom overlooking the garden will be repurposed into housing for the New School collective, fostering collaboration and community spirit.
On this same level, four private rooms will be allocated for resident artists, providing them with a tranquil retreat for creative inspiration. Two bathrooms ensure convenience for occupants, while a cozy reading room serves as a multifunctional space, capable of doubling as a guest room when needed. Additionally, an artist's flat managed by the New School collective will be situated on this floor, offering a dedicated space for collaborative projects and administrative tasks.
Attic - Privacy and Focus
The attic will undergo transformation into two flats, serving as oversight quarters for the project, in addition to providing extra living space for artists accompanied by their families or partners, as well as larger creative groups. Half of the attic space will be dedicated as a dormitory, catering to various groups including dancers utilising the ground floor workshop space, musicians involved in studio recordings, and workshop participants or students. Alongside, the attic will include a utility room, a guest room, and a private area reserved for the owners of the School.
The more secluded section of the building will cater to the needs of resident artists and administrative functions. This includes a dedicated kitchen for resident artists, providing a space for culinary creativity and communal meals. There will also be a designated area for computer work, which will double as the office of the Laguna Foundation. Additionally, a service room will be available for the resident caretaker responsible for maintaining the building and attending to foreign guests during their stay, commonly referred to as the "Stuart."
Basement - A Versatile Space
It will house a compact recording studio, providing a creative space for artists to produce their work. Additionally, laundry facilities will be available to ensure the practical needs of residents are met. Ample storage areas and a pantry will also be provided to organise supplies and provisions efficiently. Furthermore, publicly accessible restroom facilities will be installed to ensure convenience for visitors and residents alike.
Garden - Wildness and Planning
The garden will feature a small open wild area, while an unplanted section will host a sustainable organic herb and vegetable garden. Additionally, plans include the installation of a beehive to enhance self-sufficiency. Active implementation of permaculture on a small scale, and even the introduction of aquaponics, are envisioned to further enrich the garden's ecological diversity.
Adjacent to the house, a workshop for woodwork and other handicrafts will be established, alongside storage for a boat, conveniently located just 300 meters from the picturesque Kopice marina. Bicycle storage facilities will also be available, while on-site car parking will be limited to the street, encouraging eco-friendly transportation alternatives.
Accessibility and Surroundings
The building will undergo adaptations to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities, prioritizing inclusivity. This comprehensive approach will include the installation of a lift and ramps throughout the premises, facilitating seamless mobility for all.
Surrounded by a lush garden, the school's serene ambiance is further enhanced, providing a tranquil retreat for creativity and contemplation. Future plans include the construction of a freestanding workshop for wood and metalwork, catering to artisanal pursuits and fostering hands-on creativity. Additionally, the establishment of a summer stage is envisioned, offering a platform for performances and community gatherings, enriching the creative potential of the space and fostering vibrant engagement within the community.
PROGRAMME
1 Seasonal Residencies (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter)
The cornerstone of the Nowa Szkoła's program activities will be artist residencies, aimed at established artists from around the world. Residencies will last for three months and change seasonally.
Funded by scholarship programs or private funds, the residencies are intended to provide space and time for quiet work away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Therefore, it is a creative residency, geared towards supporting artists' ongoing research work.
The residencies are intended to have no age limit, restrictions on medium of work, or financial status of the artists, and stays with family and pets are also possible. Additionally, the building will be adapted for people with disabilities.
2 Group Stays
The school will provide convenient space for group activities. In the attic, there will be a dormitory capable of accommodating up to 10 people, while on the ground floor, there will be a workshop room and a spacious concert hall (both approximately 55m²) and in the basement, there will be a recording studio. These are ideal conditions for groups of musicians and dancers who wish to work on a project in seclusion and conclude their stay with a recording session in the studio or a showcase of their work. A café space will also be available to groups, including workshop groups, suitable for lectures and screenings.
3 Conventions, Conferences, and Meetings
Twice a year (and potentially more frequently in the future), we aim to bring together the artistic and local community around a chosen theme. The school building offers excellent conditions for conventions, meetings, conferences, and workshops. We envision events such as a convention for creators of alternative radio stations, a conference for future farmers, or a meeting of architects.
We would like such gatherings to be proposed by members of the Bay Collective cooperative. In this manner, those who invest with us in the development of the site will be able to make a significant contribution to its program and also benefit from all available infrastructure.
4 Festivals
Especially during the summer season, the school and its surroundings can be the focal point of small festivals. We plan to construct a stage in the garden surrounding the school, and the meadow belonging to the plot can accommodate a campsite. Initially, there are plans to organize a summer festival of experimental music.
Such festivals are intended to maintain an intimate atmosphere and not exceed one hundred attendees at any given time. We aim to provide a relaxed atmosphere for our events. All events will be discussed and potentially organized with the assistance of the local community.
5 Winter Concerts, Summer Performances, Shows
The winter season will focus on quiet creative stays, but occasionally, with the participation of residents, we aim to invite the local community and guests from nearby cities (such as Szczecin and Berlin) to a lecture, concert, or show of work in progress.
Thanks to the dormitory in winter and the option to pitch tents in the garden in summer, it is possible to spend the evening after a concert or show in small group discussions, without the need to return to the city.
There is a possibility that we will organize larger (ticketed) events, in which case we will endeavor to provide transportation for guests at specific times. All events are intended to be free of charge for the local community.