The construction of the Novum private clinic at Bociania Street in Warsaw, Poland, proves that spectacular architecture does not necessarily have to be associated with a prestigious location or large volume. Andrzej Kiciński is the author of the design, and this latest achievement seems to have employed all the great skills of this well-known Warsaw architect. We are not used to the designs of private clinics, so it is even more interesting to observe the effect of work on the idea and its realization.
The object is characterized by nice, small-scale architecture and is located in quite an architectonically unattractive area of Warsaw Ursynów, close to Puławska Street – a very high-traffic road. The plot is parallel to the street.
This fact has enforced a longitudinal situation of the clinic complex. Both the cubature and the plan show a clear division into three main sections: a semi-circular reception, surgeries, and a laboratory-clinic part in the back. From the first sight, the two-floor building closely resembles Andrzej Kiciński’s works. A massive ground floor is covered by sandstone. In contrast, the openwork of the first floor, with high-quality details of concrete semi-columns and an expressive roof of patinated copper, relates to earlier designs, such as Szara Willa (Grey Villa) next to the Warsaw University Library.
The well-being of the patients is guaranteed by the use of many natural materials. A large amount of daylight getting inside the building was a must. It is assured by a completely glazed first floor, a gable skylight above the main communication corridor, and glazed staircases.
The need for effective natural lighting, together with the necessity of maximum reduction of solar heat energy transmittance in the summer period, resulted in a choice of highly processed Pilkington Suncool™ 66/33 glass. This glass has a selectivity factor of 2 and guarantees a high light transmittance of 66 percent, with a low solar energy transmittance of 33 percent. Also, acoustic properties played an important role during the glass specification process. Insulating glass units with good acoustic properties were necessary due to the vicinity of a high-traffic road and the Warsaw Airport air corridor.
Installation of high-performance insulating glass units Pilkington Insulight™ Sun, which are modified according to particular needs, is the best proof of the architect’s high class. Use of a toughened external panel of 8 mm Pilkington Suncool™ T 66/33 glass and an internal panel of laminated Pilkington Optilam™ 8,8 in the skylight or acoustic solutions in windows and entrance façade guarantee that no aspect of comfortable usage of the facility has been omitted. Visually, Pilkington Suncool™ 66/33 glass, with its low light reflectance factor and slight, greenish tint, ideally suits the sandstone facing, harsh concrete architectonic detail, and the patinated copper roof.
The finished facility of Novum Infertility Treatment Clinic is another example of great architecture, which does not strictly follow the latest style and shows that proper use of advanced technology can bear signs of individual craftsmanship with a romantic scent.