We cordially invite you to the Archi-Lecture by Dr. Eng. Arch. Anna Orchowska as part of the series "Meetings with Modernism" of the Gdynia Modernism Trail.
Lecture titled: "Modernism from the Inside. Interiors that Shaped the Era" | With Eileen Gray, Mallet-Stevens, Szyszko-Bohusz, and Le Corbusier in the background
Speaker: Dr. Eng. Arch. Anna Orchowska (Associate Professor at the Faculty of Architecture, Gdańsk University of Technology)
Venue: Gdynia Film Center Gallery, pl. Grunwaldzki 2
Date: June 5, 2025, at 5:30 PM
Coordination: Gdynia Modernism Trail - Gdynia Development Agency
Free admission
Description:
Although modernism is primarily associated with new forms of building mass, it was interiors that played a key role in realizing the ideas of modernity—functionality, light, hygiene, and a new lifestyle. From the subtle details of Eileen Gray’s villa on the French Riviera, through the theatrical spaces of Robert Mallet-Stevens, to the raw functionalism of Le Corbusier and the refined details of Adolf Szyszko-Bohusz’s projects—these interiors served as laboratories of modern architectural thought.
During the meeting, we will examine the most interesting examples of modernist interiors in Poland and worldwide, discuss their significance, condition, and preservation potential. We will consider whether what is inside can be as important as what is outside, and how to today care for the authenticity of spaces that once shaped a new era.
About the author and speaker:
Anna Orchowska is a Gdynia native with a great passion for the interwar architecture of her hometown. Her greatest interest lies in industrial spaces of port cities, where she not only studies these areas but also defines conservation protection frameworks, particularly for the Gdynia port, which she explored in her doctoral work. She is enamored with Tel Aviv, where she was captivated by the harmony and simplicity of everyday life in shared spaces—all set within the beloved modernist context. She loves exploring urban spaces, finding inspiration in them, and noticing even the smallest details. She gladly shares her extensive knowledge during architectural walks, exhibitions, public lectures, and also teaches students at the Faculty of Architecture at Gdańsk University of Technology. Professionally, she has been an architect and designer for over a decade, overseeing every detail of her projects. Her guiding principle is that "... in architecture, there is no end—only continuous change…"