Warsaw Central Square
The construction of Central Square – the main urban space of Warsaw – is transforming the face of the center of Polish capital.
The reconstruction of Central Square is envisioned as a palimpsest, where layers of Warsaw’s past, present, and future intertwine. This approach seeks to reconnect residents with the city’s historical landscape by revealing traces of its former streets and building outlines. By carefully integrating these remnants into the modern urban fabric, the project preserves the memory of what once was while creating a space that continues to evolve with the city.
Warsaw Central Square will gain new value as a public space. Its compositional system will allow for diverse uses, from concerts, markets, and outdoor exhibitions to everyday recreational activities. As a result, the square will be actively used year-round while also offering an opportunity to understand the site’s complex history.
Katarzyna Dorda, Kamila Lejman-Kudła, Paulina Rduch, Marta Tomasiak, Marta Przygoda
Architecture/Landscape: A-A Collective (lead architects), Landscape: Landscape Practice, Lighting Design: aureola.studio, Civil Engineer: Wojciech Barcewicz, Traffic Engineer: Civil Transport Designers, Sanitary Engineer: Capite Engineering, Electrical Engineer: Tech-Art
2 ha
61 228 110,00 PLN
City of Warsaw
2018 – 2025
Jędrzej Sokołowski
The main pattern of the square’s pavement is based on the pre-war street grid and the outlines of tenement buildings and their courtyards from 1939. The reconstructed former streets – Zielna, Złota, and Wielka – will serve as the primary circulation routes. The outlines of the old tenement buildings will become an integral part of the square, functioning as spaces for meetings and recreation. Completing the composition inspired by the historical urban layout, the former courtyards will transform into a unique archipelago of small plazas and intimate gardens.
As part of the project, as many of the currently used paving stone elements as possible is recovered and restored
Lush greenery will play a key role in the transformation, serving both as a unifying element that bridges different historical periods and as a defining feature of the city’s public spaces. The introduction of nature will not only enhance the square’s aesthetic appeal but also create a dynamic setting for modern urban life.
As part of the project, 542 shrubs, 81,168 bulb plants and perennials, and 102 trees will be planted, including lindens, ashes, honey locusts, dogwoods, katsuras, ginkgos, and magnolias.
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