The Design Pharmacy is a one-of-a-kind living laboratory in the very heart of the Wesoła district
– a former hospital complex which is shaping up to be Kraków’s creative quarter.
The former pharmacy building which once produced medication for the local hospital is now a working space for designers and other creatives. It is an interdisciplinary space open to all regardless of age: from preschoolers, via groups with special needs, young people and adults all the way to seniors.
The Design Pharmacy provides a space for experimentation. It is a spot on Kraków’s map where designers, artists, representatives of academic and cultural circles and simply enthusiasts of design in its broadest sense can bring their ideas to life, create prototypes and test solutions beyond the boundaries of standard design. It is a creative hub aiming to integrate design communities, provide space for education, improve skills and competencies and provide activities intertwining the academic, design and creative worlds.
It is also home of the Trends Observatory for Culture – a group exploring cultural trends, implementing methodologies in participative activities and studying the future.
As well as hosting design workshops, the Design Pharmacy hosts a cosy reading room filled with books on philosophy, psychology and state-of-the-art technologies alongside those dedicated to design. As well as being a co-working space, the reading room is a place of respite where you can simply chill out.
Creative quarter
The newly created zone forms a part of the revitalisation strategy of the Wesoła district in Kraków. The former nine-hectare complex was purchased from the University Hospital by the Municipal Office in 2019.
The main goal is to create a multifunctional space for Kraków’s residents featuring green public spaces integrated with the city’s historic past. Places such as Wesoła are already a reality in many other cities such as Barcelona, Berlin and Vienna.
From the moment when the Kraków City Development Agency took up the challenge to revitalise Wesoła, one of the main goals was to adapt the historic buildings in the district and breathe new life into them. The launch of The Design Pharmacy on 26 September 2023 served as a symbolic start bringing dynamism to the entire revitalisation process.
Space for experimentation
The Design Pharmacy is a space aiming to integrate the full spectrum of design circles in Kraków.
“The Design Pharmacy in Wesoła is a space for encounters and collaborations of designers, but the outcomes will also benefit the district and local residents,” says Carolina Pietyra, director of KBF.
This goal is met by hosting numerous meetings of creative circles and joint design projects supported by a dynamic space specially adapted to designers representing myriad fields and circles such as universities, collectives, NGOs, start-ups and businesses.
An ongoing side of the project is long-term dialogue about shared space, implementing projects at The Design Pharmacy and its surroundings and working with numerous partners such as Capella Cracoviensis and the Spółdzielnia Muzyczna contemporary music ensemble, headquartered at the former convent building.
Programme
As part of the Workshop and Co-working Programme, the Design Pharmacy is open to designers in exchange for their engagement in activities supporting the development of the Wesoła creative district. The main aims of the programme include bolstering the position of design circles in Kraków, promoting and developing the Wesoła district, supporting debuting and experienced designers and developing networks between creative districts on local, national and international levels. Together with designers, the team of the Pharmacy of Design engages in wayfinding – developing a visual map of the district.
The design at the heart of the Pharmacy differs from other branches of arts and crafts by taking us on a journey to a potential future and helping us build our own narratives. How will this benefit the local community? We’ll find out via a programme of participative and educational activities and neighbourhood initiatives in Wesoła, and through open days and workshops hosted regularly at the venue.
DESIGNERS
NIOH NIOH
NIOH NIOH
An innovative design and prototype studio founded by Filip Czapla and Joanna Rudzińska (RudzińskaDesign), specialising in converting ideas into final products with a focus on slow-tech and creative solutions. At The Design Pharmacy, they implement their approach to design and technology through designing buildings which inspire joy while meeting the needs of their users.
SLOT
SLOT
Ola Zając and Marta Sztwiertnia are the directors of the Programme Office of the SLOT (The Association of Local Creative Centres) Art Festival.
They organise events, build communities and popularise cultural heritage. They bring a homely atmosphere to The Design Pharmacy by organising events based on community experience design (CXD) and DIY techniques, engaging the local community in the act of creation of the Wesoła district.
Zofia Hernas
Zofia Hernas
Designer of patterns, services and strategies focusing on creating innovative products and services. She specialises in identifying users’ needs and has an empathetic approach in her design processes. She uses design thinking, service design and futures design in her work. At The Design Pharmacy she works on communications projects, focusing on building an understanding of users and developing valuable solutions.
Samuel Nowak
Samuel Nowak
Scholar of culture and the media and graduate from the Jagiellonian University, he obtained his PhD in 2012. He held scholarships and research internships at the University of Antwerp and New York University, and at King’s College and Goldsmiths in London. He specialises in developing social and political campaigns, storytelling and visual communications. At The Design Pharmacy he is developing a new narrative for the Wesoła district and co-creating a brand for this new creative district in Kraków.
Unformica
Unformica
Michał Wróbel and Kuba Ryznar’s design studio brings together a passion for graphic design, typography, street art and illustration. Their projects have roots in their common interests and experiences. At The Design Pharmacy they work together to create a space inspiring people to act and promoting community values as well as improving the aesthetics and functionality of our surroundings.
Lee Bros
Lee Bros
A “one man army” in the field of film production, Paweł Liber works on projects of myriad themes while combining a fresh take with classical values. Holder of a degree in cultural studies, he specialises in anthropology of culture. At The Design Pharmacy he documents the development of the Wesoła creative district via the medium of film.
Toys Museum in Kraków
Toys Museum in Kraków
The institution has one of the world’s largest collections of antique toys. Since its earliest days it has functioned as a space for creative work and dialogue and building social skills. At The Design Pharmacy it hosts exhibitions and workshops for children and families while bolstering relationships and promoting the culture of play.
Working Group
Working Group
An interdisciplinary team implementing design projects from social and digital to UX design, services and implementation. Members of the group share their knowledge through lectures and industry events. At The Design Pharmacy they work on Agrocybernetics and the Social Space Mission by engaging on developing innovative solutions for society.
Studio Widok (the view)
Studio Widok (the view)
Graphic design studio working on projects for the hospitality, cosmetics and cultural circles with a focus on local collaborations. They design visual identities aiming to improve the quality of life. At The Design Pharmacy they are creating a wayfinding system for the Wesoła district by focusing on building relationships and in-person meetings between people.
Monika Borycka
Monika Borycka
Observer of trends, analyst of technological innovations and future studies specialist. Founder and CEO of TrendRadar disseminating understanding of trendwatching and future analysis. Co-author of a podcast discussing the future and lecturer and content supervisor of postgraduate diplomas in Trendwatching & Futures Studies at the AGH University of Science and Technology. At The Design Pharmacy she focuses on trend and innovation analysis to elucidate future changes and learn how best prepare for them.
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
The Design Pharmacy has been established in the post-hospital pharmacy building at Mikołaja Kopernika 19A
Opening hours:
monday – friday: 9.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m
also weekends – during events
CONTACT
Can't find the answer you are looking for? Contact us directly
aptekadesignu@kbf.krakow.pl
