The City of Warsaw has selected the winning design for revamping Karowa Street, linking the pedestrian‑cyclist bridge to Kraków Suburb and adding an observation deck overlooking the bridge.
Winning Concept Announced
The competition to redesign Karowa Street has concluded, with RS Architektura Krajobrazu chosen to deliver the new concept. The design features gentle, wide stairs and an elevator to facilitate comfortable navigation across the significant height difference created by the Warsaw Ridge.
Design Focus: Connecting Bridge to Kraków Suburb
Central to the proposal is enhancing and beautifying the connection between the pedestrian‑cyclist bridge and Kraków Suburb. The challenge required creating a functional yet attractive link between the upper and lower terraces of the ridge, while respecting conservation constraints, proximity to protected sites, and geotechnical conditions.
Key Features: Stairs, Elevator, Visual Terrace
The plan includes an elevator serving three levels—ground, intermediate (at the Markiewicz viaduct), and upper—accessible to wheel‑chair users and cyclists. Stairs incorporate resting spots, benches, and a small water channel running along the central axis, offering scenic views of the ridge.
Compliance with Conservation Requirements
The winning entry preserves the Markiewicz viaduct embankment and maintains the ridge’s tree mass, ensuring continuity of the Karowa Street flyover. No geometric changes are proposed to the viaduct itself; stair ramps and sidewalks are widened on approach ramps to at least 2.5 m, and roadways are adapted to a minimum of 8 m wide with dual 1.5 m bike lanes.
Project Details and Prize Distribution
First prize, 100 000 zł (£22 000), awarded to Dorota Rudawa – Konstancin Jeziorna from RS Architektura Krajobrazu. Second prize, 80 000 zł (£18 400), went to Malgorzata Zmyslowska – Berlin and Franciszek Ryczer Architekt. Third prize, 50 000 zł (£11 500), received EMA Studio Sp. z o.o. Two equal accolades of 25 000 zł (£5 800) were granted to Piotr Płaskowicki Architekt and to Zygmunt Borawski – Jan Przedpełski and Landscape Practice Marta Tomasiak.
Future Steps and Public Display
The competition jury will invite the winner to negotiate under an open‑bidding framework. All awardees’ drawings will be exhibited from 4–19 December, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., at the Architecture and Spatial Planning Office, Jerozolimskie Avenue 44, level –1. The city will finalize contracts and commence detailed design soon after.