University of Warsaw - Masurian Center for Biodiversity and Nature Education KUMAK

Masurian Center for Biodiversity and Nature Education KUMAK is located in a pristine area by Łuknajno lake in Masuria region, northeastern Poland. The center belongs to the University of Warsaw and consists of two buildings, one of the buildings (Expo), serves for environmental education, the other one (Seminar building), is research center.
The KUMAK Center can be seen as perfect example of architecture coexisting in harmony with nature. Both buildings blend into the landscape: partially covered with soil with elevations overgrown with plants. It is also designed in a holistic way, responding to the needs of many different users and in harmony with nature. The most important purpose of this development is protection of biodiversity, mostly through education.
During the design process, attention was paid to choose environmentally friendly solutions. Finishing materials chosen for buildings' interiors also meet criteria of sustainability. Reclaimed wood covers some walls in the buldings, making spaces cosy. Vast floor areas are finished with natural linoleum - Marmoleum. Intense green color in the seminar building, makes the interiors bright and literally green. Brownish shades of Marmoleum in Expo building, corresponds to the colors and patches in the natural surroundings.
The project and its realisation received several awards e.g., Honorable mention in the Green Building Awards 2018 competition by Polish Green Building Council (PLGBC).