Old forester's lodge in Kabaty to be renovated by the city

The project worth 1.38 million zlotys will be financed by City Forests. The contract between the Capital Board of City Development and Good Wood Szymon Jaraczewski was signed on Monday.

Warsaw historic preservation officer will make sure the distinctive and historic character of the lodge, as well as the local architectural tradition are kept intact. According to the city hall, renovated elevation of the structure will include restored details, while the existing brick extention will be dismantled. The whole process will include insulation work, bricklaying, carpentry, and construction. New sanitary, electric and telecommunication installations will be added.

"A large and complicated investment is ahead of us. I hope this task will carried out very swiftly. We've given ourselves only and as much as 18 months. We want to preserve the structure's original form," Warsaw Deputy Mayor Renata Kaznowska said on Monday. "I'm glad that the building will be used to educate children and teenagers," she added.

Once it's been renovated, the lodge will serve the local Environment-Forestry Educational Centre to hold exibitions among other things. "I'm very grateful to the employees of Warsaw City Forests, who not only care for forest management, but also develop the educational part. In the year before the pandemic, we managed to organise classes for 20,000 kids. And this expansion of educational possibilities is crucial for us," said Warsaw city greenery coordinator Magdalena Młochowska.

The surroundings of the lodge will also be transformed. An area of 2,500 m2 will get paths, new fencing and greenery. "I'd like to thank for finding funds for lodge renovation in this difficult time. This building is yet another element of our educational infrastructure. Soon we will also construct a large ecology educational facility in Młociny Forest," said the chief of Warsaw City Forests Karol Podgórski.

"There are no more lodges like this, not only in Kabaty Woods, but also across the whole of Warsaw. The structure is extremely valuable, and the upcoming investment will expose all what is best in it. The lodge will have its original look restored, but at the same time it will serve new purposes," said Warsaw historic preservation officer Michał Krasucki.

"We have a challenging tasks. The lodge has very significant historic, educational, and ecological value. The works will be carried out under close supervision of preservation officer, while the investment itself will include both the building and development of the surrounding area. The construction site is to be established next week," said Capital Board of City Development chief Łukasz Górecki.

The wooden lodge at 1 Rydzowa Street is located in Kabaty Woods. This area was once part of Wilanów Domains, which in the 17th and 18th centuries belonged to the Houses of Sobieski, and later of Potocki, and of Branicki. Currently, this land is managed by Warsaw City Forests. The lodge was built in the second half of the 19th century. For nearly 130 years, it was home to foresters responsible for managing Kabaty Woods. In 1987, the structure was added to the historic sites register.

The structure is a log cabin covered with a form of a gable roof with additional triangular extensions located at the upper part of the gable, a so-called half-hipped roof. Originally, the roof used to be covered with shingles, which were then replaced with eternit in the 1960s.

The elevation is made of horizontally-laid wooden logs with ornamental woodcarvings. The interior walls - made of wood and brick - have been plastered. Also the original interior elements have been preserved, such as doors with forged hinges, doorhandles and original locks, windows, heating and kitches stoves, and wooden tiles. The lodge also has original lime plasters laid on reed mats.