© Dick Van Gameren Architecten, Jojko + Nawrocki Architekci

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten . Published on October 31, 2008.

The New Congress Hall for Katowice has many roles to play. It will have to be clearly recognisable as an important public building for the city, and should at the same time not obstruct the landmark role of its counter players – the Spodek Hall, or the position of the others future buildings and the interventions to the north of the site. But most of all, it will have to play the central role in restructuring the existing empty spaces in the north-eastern part of the heart of the city and forming the new cultural axis of Katowice together with Spodek Hall, planned Music Concert Hall, Theater and Silesian Museum All these ambiguous demands to the New Congress Hall are brought together in an abstract, monolithic volume, that at first glance might appear to have have randomly landed from above, but that in reality has been very carefully positioned in order to perform all its roles. The monolithic structure nestles itself in the slope in such a way that the emptiness disappears and a series of clearly articulated urban spaces is created. The square between the underpass of the central roundabout and Spodek will get a clear ending by the new building and its main entrance. The volume hovers over the square in front of it, transforming itself into a huge, suspended canopy. A large opening in the cantilevered part leads you inside where the square is continued in a series of foyers and lobbys.

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten, Jojko + Nawrocki Architekci

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten . Published on October 31, 2008.

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten, Jojko + Nawrocki Architekci

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten . Published on October 31, 2008.

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten, Jojko + Nawrocki Architekci

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten . Published on October 31, 2008.

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten, Jojko + Nawrocki Architekci

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten . Published on October 31, 2008.

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten, Jojko + Nawrocki Architekci

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten . Published on October 31, 2008.

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten, Jojko + Nawrocki Architekci
groundfloor

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten . Published on October 31, 2008.

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten, Jojko + Nawrocki Architekci
first floor

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten . Published on October 31, 2008.

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten, Jojko + Nawrocki Architekci
second floor

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten . Published on October 31, 2008.

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten, Jojko + Nawrocki Architekci parking

© Dick Van Gameren Architecten . Published on October 31, 2008.