The Warsaw-based company WXCA won the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Global Award for Excellence, for its work on the museum, which chronicles the most important events in Polish history.
The museum, located in Warsaw’s Żoliborz district, stands on the grounds of a 19th-century Russian citadel that had long been inaccessible to the public.
WXCA’s design has transformed this historically significant site into an open space for residents, incorporating green areas and a 600-seat concert hall that has the potential to become a cultural hub.
The judging process began with the analysis of the building’s sustainability and artistic merit. This was followed by an on-site visit, during which ULI jurors assessed how well the architects' vision aligned with the needs of the museum's staff and the surrounding community.
“We knew from the start that it would not be an easy win,” Bartłomiej Jankowski, a spokesperson for WXCA, told TVP World.
The ULI, which was founded in the U.S. in 1936 is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering healthy, resilient, and sustainable communities. Its Global Awards for Excellence are considered rigorous, with a multi-staged application process.
“The Polish History Museum was conceived as a thoroughly modern space, where only one-fifth of the area is devoted to artefacts,” explained Katarzyna Billik, the project’s lead architect. “The remaining spaces—such as the concert hall and educational workshop rooms—reflect the building’s mission: to foster dialogue about Poland’s past.”
“This museum is an open, alive space that inspires conversation about Polish history,” she added. “We hope that ULI recognition will bring in new visitors both from Poland and aboard.”
Poland’s largest investment
For the museum staff, the award is a testament to the collaboration between WXCA and the project’s investor, the Polish National Treasury.
“It takes two to tango, so let’s not forget that this monumental building is now our home and our place of work,” said Michał Przeperski, a spokesperson for the museum.
The Polish History Museum was the largest cultural institution created and financed under the previous government. So far it cost $300mln and, according to Poland’s Supreme Audit Office, the final bill might be higher.
Warsaw’s new modern landmark
Despite criticism that the building exceeded its original budget by threefold and that its permanent collection is not set to open until 2026, the ULI award represents a significant milestone.
Supporters hope it will help shift the narrative surrounding the museum, emphasizing its potential as a modern cultural landmark that will attract both Varsovians and foreign visitors.
