maritime museum in łeba

A new branch of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk has been established in Łeba, on a plot of land acquired by the institution in 2015. The aim of the investment is to create a modern facility dedicated to underwater archaeology and Baltic Sea fisheries. Our studio’s design, selected in a nationwide competition, envisions a compact, dynamic form with a distinctive façade whose shape refers to the natural coastal landscape: the current of the Łeba River, the movement of waves, the hull of a ship, and the characteristic dunes.

A key element of the concept is the front façade, modeled as a double-curved NURBS surface and clad in Siberian larch. Its geometric form was made possible by an innovative steel-and-wood substructure, which required every element to be individually adjusted. The 90-meter-long façade features a cantilever reaching up to 3 meters, while the carefully designed cladding maintains a consistent rhythm of rows despite the changing wall height, creating an effect of spatial permeability and natural rhythm that emphasizes the building’s connection with its surroundings.

The interiors of the facility will house a permanent exhibition, educational zones, and technical facilities. In 2021, our studio, in cooperation with PL Studio Patryk Żurawski, won the competition for the design of the permanent exhibition and developed the entire project comprehensively. The investment received significant funding from the European Regional Development Fund, which enabled the creation of a modern exhibition exploring the secrets of the underwater world and the history of Baltic Sea fisheries. The building forms a harmonious blend of architecture with the natural and historical context of Łeba, fitting into the coastal landscape and establishing a modern, open center for education, culture, and tourism.