New models of urban living from Żory, Poland

Designed by Franta Group, the Żorro housing project introduces a new vision for urban residential development from Żory, a town in southern Poland. Situated within a neighborhood of prefabricated buildings, this striking structure was conceived under the fundamental architectural principle of improving the existing conditions—functionally, aesthetically, and spatially—for future inhabitants.

The project reinterprets the volumetric form of a typical 1970s prefabricated block, transforming it into a distinctive architectural “superhero” with elevated quality and unique character. As such, Żorro stands as a new model for the future redevelopment of the entire district.

Merging Functionality and Aesthetics – The “Summer Living Room” and “Summer Garden”

At the core of the design is the aim to improve residents’ quality of life. Rather than typical balconies, each unit is equipped with outdoor spaces that are open to light, air, and greenery—functional extensions of living areas. By minimizing interior finishing costs and reallocating the budget, the design includes expansive terraces equivalent in size to one or multiple rooms. These areas are named “summer living room” and “summer garden” for their generous scale and usability. As a result, the functional living area of each unit increases by 30–50% compared to the interior alone.

Responsive Facade with Seasonal Intelligence

The terrace depth, roofing, and the black facade were all designed to respond dynamically to time and season. In summer, sunlight touches the facade only in the morning and evening, helping to keep interiors cool during the hottest hours. In winter, when the sun is lower, the black facade absorbs and releases heat, providing passive warming to terrace users throughout the day.

High-Quality Housing in Non-Metropolitan Areas

A key feature of the project is its affordability. With units priced at 6,800–7,500 PLN/m² (approximately 1,600–1,760 EUR/m²), Żorro proves that well-designed, high-quality housing does not need to be exclusive to large cities or reliant on public funding. Żorro offers a blueprint for sustainable urban regeneration in smaller municipalities, showing that architectural innovation can thrive even outside major urban centers.

Maciej Franta

Since 2010, she has led the Franta Group Studio, which has worked on projects such as the conversion of a tenement in Tarnowskie Góry into an opera hotel, a residential area in Oswaldów Park, the expansion of the municipal hospital in Chorzów and kindergartens in Kraków and Swakovice. Awards received in national and international competitions include an educational and sports centre in Misiadlo, a kindergarten in Swakowice, a forest arboretum in Sików and a housing complex in Zabrze.