Campus life [2025-07-21]

Historic Modernization

— Editors

– The agreements we are signing today are another significant and important step in the development of our University – said Dr. habil. Joanna Kucharzewska, Professor at Nicolaus Copernicus University (UMK), Vice-Rector for Promotion and Cooperation with Social and Business Environment, during a press conference dedicated to the commencement of the thermal modernization of the Rectorate and the University Library. The total cost of both investments will exceed 56 million PLN.

The Rectorate and the Library are among the oldest buildings in the university campus in the Toruń Bielany district. Both were put into use in the early 1970s. Since then, they have undergone several renovations, but never on the scale currently planned. The modernization of the Rectorate, which houses almost the entire general university administration and the University Center for Foreign Languages, and the library, which serves not only the academic community but also many residents of Toruń, is quite a logistical challenge.

On July 15th, a press conference was held at the Academic Relaxation Zone, during which agreements concerning the development of project documentation were signed. Conceptual technical work related to the implementation of new systems in the buildings under conservation protection will initiate the first phase of the work. Because these activities will be carried out simultaneously at both locations, two university teams were established, each separately responsible for overseeing the investments. The coordination of the team in charge of the Rectorate renovation is handled by the Vice-Rector for Human Resources and Financial Policy, Dr. habil. Radosław Sojak, Professor at UMK, while the team working on the library modernization is overseen by the Vice-Rector for Promotion and Cooperation with the Socio-Economic Environment, Dr. habil. Joanna Kucharzewska, Professor at UMK.

During the meeting, two agreements were signed with representatives of design offices. The company responsible for implementing changes in the Rectorate will be TBi ARCHiTEKCI, and the agreement with Nicolaus Copernicus University was signed on behalf of the company by CEO Magdalena Brzezińska. The signatory of the agreement on behalf of UMK was Vice-Rector Dr. habil. Radosław Sojak, Professor at UMK.

The main goal of the modernization is to reduce operating costs. An important element of the project is the installation of renewable energy sources, which is expected to produce over 87,000 kWh annually, representing a significant step towards the building's energy self-sufficiency.

We expect the energy consumption of the Rectorate to decrease by roughly two-thirds – emphasized Dr. habil. Radosław Sojak, Professor at UMK, during the conference. – We also anticipate improving the energy efficiency not only of these buildings but of our entire organization, since the renewable energy installations will support the energy balance of the whole university.

Professor Sojak also assured that the renovations will take into account the needs of the staff to improve their safety and working comfort. The investment cost for the Rectorate is estimated at over 22 million PLN, of which 13.5 million PLN is financial support from the European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, Environment 2021–2027, and the remaining funds have been secured in the university's financial plan.

Cooperation for the modernization of the University Library was established with the design firm Archimedia Architects & Engineers. The agreement was signed by Vice-Rector Dr. habil. Joanna Kucharzewska, Professor at UMK, and the owner of the design company, Krzysztof Janus.

The modernization of the library building will primarily focus on improving energy efficiency. The introduced changes, such as new facade claddings, installation of triple-glazed windows, and a photovoltaic system, will contribute to reducing the building's operating costs. Thanks to energy accumulation units harvesting energy from the environment, the expected result is the production of 131,000 kWh of electricity annually. During the conference, it was also emphasized that the renovations of both buildings will require good logistical organization already at the planning stage.

In preparing for the investment, we calculated that we need to transport 8 kilometers' worth of books – said Dr. habil. Joanna Kucharzewska, Professor at UMK. – If we were to convert that into the number of volumes, it would be hundreds of thousands of publications. This is truly a large-scale undertaking - not only renovation and construction but also logistical."

The Vice-Rector also pointed out that in January 2020, the Nicolaus Copernicus University campus in Toruń was entered into the register of historic monuments; therefore, when designing renovation changes, the comments of the municipal conservator of monuments must be taken into account. Furthermore, Professor Kucharzewska assured fans of the iconic Bar Adaś, located in the library building, that it will still have a place after the renovation.

The total cost of the library's thermal modernization exceeds 34 million PLN. Part of the costs (nearly 17.5 million PLN) is co-financed from European Union funds under the European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, Environment 2021–2027 program, and an additional 3 million PLN has been obtained from the state budget. The remaining amount of the investment will be financed from UMK's own funds.

Besides construction work related to thermal modernization, the project will also include, among other things, the installation of equipment for digitization and the development of infrastructure related to accessibility. Additionally, audit, promotional, and educational activities will be carried out to raise user awareness about energy saving.

In addition to the Vice-Rectors coordinating the work of the teams supervising the investments, the project also involves Karolina Sokalska, Chancellor of UMK; Marcin Maksim, Deputy Chancellor for Technical Affairs; Paulina Kuć, Head of the Structural Funds Management Section; and Bartłomiej Kaczorowski, Head of the Investment Department. The thermal modernization works of the University Library and Rectorate will continue until 2027.

Improvement of energy efficiency in the historic UMK Rectorate building in Toruń, along with the installation of renewable energy sources
Project implementation period: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027
Action: FENX.01.01 Energy Efficiency
Total project value: 22,206,708.49 PLN, including co-financing from the Cohesion Fund: 13,516,405.56 PLN

Improvement of energy efficiency in the historic UMK University Library building in Toruń, along with the installation of renewable energy sources
Project implementation period: January 1, 2024 – August 31, 2027
Action: FENX.01.01 Energy Efficiency
Total project value: 34,083,760.60 PLN, including co-financing from the Cohesion Fund: 17,412,699.73 PLN