Interview GraĹźyna Hryncewicz-Lamber: What is the history of the WuWA model house for singles and childless couples that later became a hotel and which had been used as a field hospital during the war? JG: Since the war only one institution has managed this building. It is governed by the National Labour Inspectorate. In the past the Inspectorate reported to the trade unions and later on its status changed. However, for all that time it has been based in this building.
90 House no. 31, designed by Hans Scharoun, roof terraces of the middle part and the left wing of the building, 2014.
GHL: Did this building become
Photography by Natalia and Ernest Dec
a training and hotel facility for this institution right away?
centre, who still holds this position, (and in
I was employed as the Administration
JG: Yes, from the beginning it was the
the meantime was a Polish MP), initiated
Manager, so it was obvious I would get
Inspectorate's school where employees
the renovation works. At that time the
involved in the renovation. Our awareness
and social labour inspectors were trained.
deterioration of the building was patently
of the value and character of this place
obvious and its technical condition was
was growing as we contacted specialists
GHL: When did the first serious
dreadful. The director convinced the
in history and architectural restoration.
renovation works begin? The
Inspectorate's authorities to assign funds,
I observed that the hotel had been
building was listed (to the register
as much as were available at that time,
renovated without any special attention
of monuments) in 1972, but I think
and to start the restoration of the building.
or care, not to mention the distinct lack
that the real, professional restoration
Meanwhile, Mrs Jadwiga Urbanik,
of awareness that it is a building of
started in the 90s.
a doctor in Architectural Engineering joined
significant architectural value. Put simply,
JG: In the mid-90s the then director of the
our team. At the turn of 1996–1997
the building was restored using materials
122 WuWA