Katowice International Conference Centre

The International Conference Centre in Katowice (Poland) is a modern, multipurpose structure that includes exhibition and conference facilities. Its volumes are punctuated by areas of lawn and black metal surfaces made from expanded metal mesh panels arranged on various vertical and oblique planes. The building sits close to the “Spodek” sports and entertainment arena (known as the Flying Saucer), the Silesian Museum and the Silesian Philharmonic institution in the “Cultural Zone” of Katowice. The project brief was to integrate the new building in its urban setting, alongside other large structures. The body of the building is a rectangular parallelepiped, sliced in half by a jagged ‘crack’. The resulting green valley laid to lawn recreates the historical route of the road to the Bogucice district. The roofs drops down to the ground, creating a completely new public space. The façade is glazed and clad with black expanded metal mesh panels. This choice of colour bears witness to the area’s coal mining history.