Projekt Stocznia - student workshop in Gdańsk shipyard 

The aim of this project was to make the postindustrial area of Gdańsk's shipyard more accessible. We begun our mission with getting to know that district from a whole new perspective - a person with disability. We got to experience it as a wheelchair users, or blind persons with guides.    

Even a physically fit person finds it challenging to not stumble on the uneven and damaged pavements or roads of the shipyard. This is how we came up with an idea of a footbridge that would fill in the existing tracks.

We were very lucky to be able to test our prototype of accessibility footbridge with the members of Life on Wheelz. Wojtek was kind enough to share his perspective, try using our footbridge and give us his priceless opinion. According to him the most challenging surface for his vehicle is cobblestone - a historic material that heritage conservationists insist on preserving the most. The only challenging moment for him was getting on the footbridge, through the metal track. If the footbridge would create a network of pavements that would create a fairly flat and stable surface for anyone using a wheelchair, crutches, baby pushchair, or a suitcase it would be much easier to acces the post-shipyard area. He also appreciates the playful design made with the three basic colours that is inclusive unlike a sole blue colour which tends to stigmatize people with disabilities.  

The design team: Filip Til, Małgorzata Okrój, Arkadiusz Kusiński, Laura Ptaszyk, Julia Bąk, Wojtek and Agata Sawccy (Life on Wheelz), Magdalena Storożenko, Michał Deja.