[image via Wallpaper*]

Hey, did you hear the one about the Polish submarine? Oh, you did? Well then how about the one about the booming architectural revolution that’s changing the fabric of the country’s largest cities? The September issue of Wallpaper* includes an overview of this new Polish architecture and the accompanying web gallery presents some stunning work from both big names and relative unknowns. Perhaps because so much of their historic architecture was lost in WWII, many of these new projects respond to existing buildings with reverence and a sometimes even a bit of wit. When viewed together, they seem to indicate the rise of a new, much appreciated, urban dialectic in Poland. Take for example, the New Cultural Centre for Gliwice (above), designed by Medusa Group. A converted brick water tower in this 750 year old town will be expanded into a bisecting intervention that—at least in this rendering—brings to mind Hejduk’s Wall House.

[image via Wallpaper*]

This Wonka-like rooftop extension to the National Museum in Poxnan comes courtesy of Claudio Silvestrin and adds a bit of whimsy to an otherwise underwhelming semi-Modern addition.

[image via Wallpaper*]

nsMoonStudio & Wizja are the masterminds behind the Tadeusz Kantor Museum in Krawko. The industrial concrete, glass, and steel structure—very much a stage set itself—will be dedicated to archiving the work of the Polish artist and set designer.

Check out the whole article to find out what makes Wallpaper* ask “Is Warsaw the new Berlin?” And please — spare us the jokes.

· Architecture overview: Poland [Wallpaper*]