Elzbieta PRZESMYCKA, Wroclaw

L'Art nouveau en Pologne: architecture, constructions, décors
XXth century architecture of Poland can be characterised an abundance of style, various construction solutions and a diverse range of materials and decorations. Traditional wooden contruction style developed in XIXth century in Zakopane, a city in the polish Tatras Mountain region. In many of Polish cities (Cracow, Wroclaw, Kazimierz) one can find numerous wooden and brick villas. In the cites of former Austro-Hungarian Annexation (e.x. Cracow) there are many preserved ArtNouveau tenement houses, built from bricks and decorated in interesting ornaments. There also are many other buildings with richly decorated elevations - plasters, mosaics and interior decorations (e.x. staircases with iron handrails). In Wroclaw one can find plenty of structures built in a typical german architectural style. In nearly all structures we notice wall coverings made from materials characteristic for that era, many of which are no longer being made (glazed slate, iron construction elements, fences, handrails and gratings). During conservation aften modern substitute materials are being used. There is not enough traditional craftsmen and small workshops producing materials necessary for the restoration of these structures. This article will focus on a choice of representative examples of Polish architecture of XXth century, together with their ornaments, building and decorative materials.

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Maribel ROSSELLO, Catalunya

Papier mâché in Catalan Modernista Architecture
This paper presents one of the most unusual techniques identified in the study of Catalan Modernista architecture: the cladding of walls and ceilings with papier-mâché tiles produced by the firm Hermenegild Miralles. These tiles are similar in appearance to Valencian ceramic tiles, from which they took their designs and surface finishes. The company’s catalogue included a full range of finishes based on contemporary experiments with glazed and enamelled ceramics, such as golden hues, reliefs and incisions. The product catalogue claimed that the papier-mâché tiles were patented, so the technique was closely linked to the firm that marketed it. As far as we know, the tiles were on the market for a rather short time: the catalogue which we have discovered dates from 1894 and the latest examples of the tiles’ use are from 1905. We have found them in works by Antoni Gaudí and Josep Puig i Cadafalch, among others. Because of the importance of the works in which these tiles were used and the architects who designed them, we consider that this was not a one-off invention but rather one that, for a certain period of time, offered rich formal possibilities and simple installation. The new product met a demand for sensory expression and attractive cladding materials. It was inexpensive, lightweight and easily mouldable, so it allowed daring and highly expressive solutions that were affordable for more people.

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