Dear Residents,
Our journey towards nature is gaining momentum. We are entering Phase III of the “Green Olivia” project! It all began (you might remember?) with a pocket garden that modestly emerged back in 2021, nestled between Olivia Star and Olivia Prime B.
The urban concept of pocket parks was born in the 1960s in New York (the famous Paley Park) as a response to the lack of greenery in Manhattan’s dense landscape. They were designed to be safe havens of peace – “green lungs” right at your fingertips. At Olivia Centre, we took this idea as a starting point to create a network of green squares and corridors that are gradually connecting our buildings into a coherent ecosystem.
In 2024, the first stage of our “green game” was launched. We divided the work into smaller phases to introduce changes consistently and responsibly, without disrupting the rhythm of this place. Phases I and II covered the space between Olivia Star and Olivia Six, where a new quality began to take shape: more greenery, softer forms, and spaces to pause and relax. On Monday, May 4th, we are moving into Phase III of our green revolution.
Even More Green Power
Phase III covers further key points of our center – the area in front of the Starbucks café, the passage in the now-famous Olivia Gate, and additional sections of the patio. We are still “playing the green game,” but we are doing so by working not only with vegetation but also with materials, textures, and light. Features will include:
- Tall grasses that will “dance” in the wind;
- Shade-giving trees;
- Fruit trees (an absolute first!): apple, plum, and cherry trees;
- Roses – for the first time at Olivia – thanks to the excellent sunlight in this zone;
- Climbing plants, including ivy on the Gate A facade, which will softly re-shape the architecture;
- Plinths for works of art.
We also plan to install a dynamic weather vane. It may take the form of a dancer whose movement will highlight the energy of this place.
Eco Olivia
We are using reclaimed elements from previous works, giving them a second life. The surfaces will be diverse: gravel, slate, and Old Gdańsk cobblestones—a subtle nod to the local context and the historic streets of Gdańsk.
Biophilic Design and Edible Landscapes
Our initiatives align with global trends such as Biophilic Design (designing based on the innate human need to connect with nature) and Edible Landscapes. All over the world, from Singapore to London, modern business centers are shifting from “decorative greenery” to true urban biodiversity. This isn’t just a trend—it’s a paradigm shift in thinking about how buildings should “breathe” and coexist with their surroundings.
Work is scheduled to run until the end of August.
