Sustainable Design in the Housing Environment: Integration of Modern Technology and Cultural Heritage Protection on the Example of the National Archive in Krakow

Abstract Contemporary challenges in the design of public buildings, such as archives, include the integration of some aspects of heritage conservation, quality of the housing environment, and sustainability. Using the example of the new headquarters of the National Archive in Krakow, architectural and technological solutions that can be adapted in residential development are analysed. The analysed building combines modernity with care for the historic urban fabric, improving the quality of life of the residents. The project demonstrates how the harmonious coexistence of public and residential uses can support the aspiration for a sustainable urban environment that combines the needs of residents with the need to protect the cultural landscape.