Korpsbekleidungsamt: A Genesis. A Contribution to the architectural and urban study of the Uniform Office complex at Wałowa St. in Gdańsk

Abstract

As the fortifications of the centre of Gdańsk were removed in the late 19th century, the city acquired new land to build on. The levelled strip of land was highly valuable, therefore it became home to numerous institutions, including military ones. These investments included erecting the Uniform Office (Korpsbekleidungsamt) of the XVII Army Corps, located at what today is Wałowa St. Even though its history is relatively well known, particularly when it comes to the interwar period and institutions which operated there after its demilitarisation, the complex has not seen a study focusing on architecture and city planning. The present contribution outlines the history of the changes to the complex in its early years, from the creation of the first buildings in the 1890s to the end of World War One. It is an introduction to the further description of the architecture and layout of the complex along with changes in subsequent years.