Competition for the renovation of the underground rotunda Elizeum

The Elizeum pavilion is a fragment, a remnant of the “Na Książęcem” park-and-palace complex. The gardens were owned by Prince Kazimierz Poniatowski, the design was authored by Szymon Bogumił Zug, and it was implemented at the end of the 18th c.
What was recognised as the primary objective of the redevelopment of the area around the building and the addition a new Grotto building was to preserve and restore the historic layout which involved the creation of a sequence of characteristic spaces: the Grotto, narrow, dark corridors and a brightly illuminated underground temple. The effect of mystery and surprise present in the historic development was treated as its highest value and the contemporary spatial scenario was built around it. The Grotto entrance axis was purposefully removed from the Lantern axis so as to prevent it from being associated with the entrance to the Elizeum pavilion.
The Elizeum pavilion is left in the condition in which it has survived to this day.
The area around Elizeum and the Grotto, slightly modified compared with the historic arrangement, was transformed to a minimal extent. The area should function as public space - as an auditorium of the natural amphitheatre.
Contemporary features, such as the Entrance setting, the Lantern, the decoration of the Grotto, or the floor inside Elizeum were intentionally distinguished by means of materials and textures different from the historic ones.
The newly created space is dedicated to hosting cultural events.