MUZEUM ZIEM WSCHODNICH
Lublin, Poland
2019

Collaboration: Studio Zaluska + Marcin Kwietowicz             
Type of Procurement: Open competition, 2019 – 2nd prize  
Location: Lublin, Poland
Consultants: Visualizations: Robin Archive

The Museum of the Eastern Lands of the Former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth reimagines the historic Lubomirski Palace in Lublin as a layered cultural environment, where heritage and contemporary intervention form a coherent spatial narrative. The design approach is grounded in restraint: existing structures are preserved and clarified, while new architectural elements are introduced with precision, ensuring legibility between old and new.

The entrance hall acts as the museum’s orientational core, structured by a sequence of axial openings that intuitively guide visitors through the building. This spatial clarity supports a functional program that integrates permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational facilities, and public amenities into a unified experience.

The permanent exhibition follows the logic of the palace itself. On the piano nobile, a sequence of enfilade rooms frames a chronological narrative from the formation to the decline of the Commonwealth, emphasizing the scale and representational character of the interiors. On the ground floor, the exhibition shifts toward a more immersive and multimedia-driven format, addressing the complexities of the 20th century and extending into contemporary reflections.

A defining gesture of the project is the creation of a new underground level. Conceived as a raw, concrete volume illuminated by filtered daylight, this space accommodates temporary exhibitions and events, offering maximum flexibility while establishing a deliberate contrast to the historic fabric above.

The program is complemented by a library, café, and educational spaces, as well as office areas integrated within the attic. Together, these elements form an open, accessible institution that connects historical identity with present-day cultural life.