Architecture Week is behind us. Benches commemorating the event will remain in the region
The Architecture Week in the European City of Science Katowice 2024, curated by scientists from the Silesian University of Technology - Dr Hab. Arch. Klaudiusz Fross, Prof. SUT, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology and Dr Krzysztof Groń, Vice-Dean of this Faculty. As part of the events, designer benches were unveiled in several places in the region.
From April 27th to May 2nd, Architecture Week took place. An occasion full of events, exhibitions and workshops brought together scientists and students of several universities.
The Architecture Week started with exhibitions. In the building of the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, the exhibition “Top 12 – My first project” was presented, during which students of this faculty, who for the first time could show their skills in front of a wider audience, showed their projects. There were many such initiatives during the Architecture Week.
The organizers from the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology also invited representatives of the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice to participate in joint activities. The dance ensamble of this university appeared on the square in front of the Silesian Theatre and presented a show of Latin American dance classic – cha-cha. The occasion was International Dance Day.
- In addition to the fact that a group of over thirty students of the Katowice AWF (Academy of Physical Education) danced, we also invited all interested and gathered on the Katowice Market Square to learn the basic steps of this dance. Quite a lot of people joined, including the elderly, which makes us very happy – says Martyna Smusz, a cha-cha instructor. The dance in the heart of Katowice proved that the architecture of the place can be used not only for living, but also for creating artistic events.
The residents also enjoyed a very interesting architectural walk “Architecture of Science” through the Youth Palace in Katowice, led by Dr Arch. Jacek Kamiński from the Silesian Library and Adam Lasek, director of the Youth Palace. The two-hour event brought together many participants who had a lot of questions to the guides.
- We wanted to show how many secrets the Youth Palace hides - said Adam Lasek. - During the year we conduct many trips, also for international visitors, so we already have some experience in it. This time, Dr Arch. Jacek Kamiński also presented interesting facts about the architecture of the rooms of the Youth Palace. At the end, we also presented the participants with a display of lighting and technical capabilities of our theatre room – he added.
Just like walking, social games were a great way to spend time in urban space. As part of the Architecture Week, the organizers invited residents to the game entitled. “To be open with oneself,” which was prepared by the Open Circle Foundation and Dottka company. The most important things in this game were conversation and emotions, - scoring points was of secondary nature.
- The game allows one to easily understand and get to know other participants. It is very popular among blind people who can play it using the smartphone app and QR codes used in the game – says Małgorzata Pękala, game designer.
A lot of attractions on the occasion of the Architecture Week were also waiting for visitors to the walls of the Silesian University of Technology on Tuesday. In the building of the Faculty of Architecture, a seminar on space architecture was held.
“We want to tell you about what is not so obvious when it comes to the activities of the Faculty of Architecture. In addition to traditional fields of study, we also deal with innovative projects such as designing space habitats, we take part in simulated missions. Someone could say that this is not an important topic, but around us there are already a lot of companies that deal with it, so the need to develop this field of study is huge - said Professor Klaudiusz Fross during a meeting with students and secondary school pupils.
PhD student Wiktoria Dziaduła also talked about her development path: - from studies at the Faculty of Architecture to participation in international space projects in the United States.
“I encourage young people who are still facing the choice of their career path to become interested in architecture, and space in particular. It all starts with passion, and what we design for space missions in the future, can still be used here on Earth.
However, space architecture did not dominate the discussions during the Architecture Week, because on a long weekend in May, the organizers again invited the inhabitants of the Silesia region, to take a walk along city paths, and rest in the space of big cities. The opportunity for this was new benches, which were created as part of the BenchMan project.
It started with the covers on the benches. We wanted to revive benches that no one sat on. A man-styled character, a little robot, attracts, arouses interest, maybe even sympathy, and encourages to relax in this place. We can see that this design works,” said Prof. Klaudiusz Fross, one of the authors of the project.
New benches under this project were unveiled, among others, at the Silesian Library in Katowice, as well as in Cieszyn. It probably doesn’t end there.
The project is evolving. Benches are numbered, they have already appeared in many cities - not only in the Silesia Region, but also throughout Poland. There will certainly be more – said Dr Krzysztof Groń, curator of the Architecture Week.
“We wanted these benches to be something to remind us of this event after the Architecture Week is over. The week itself and various events pass, and these benches will remain forever. Residents of the cities where they are located, and guests will be able to use them and take a souvenir photo. As promoters of good architecture design in urban space, we are glad that we could make them. I think that this project is unique and looks great – added Dean Klaudiusz Fross.
The finale of the Architecture Week was an artistic and photographic performance on the Katowice market. Three students of the Faculty of Architecture – Julia Wybraniec, Jędrzej Caputa and Wojciech Kramza – spread the inscription “Katowice City of Science 2024, Architecture Week” in front of the Silesian Theatre and distributed leaflets promoting the event and the faculty itself.
- The aim was not only to capture this moment in photographs, but also to promote Katowice as a city focused on the development of science and education - concluded Dr Krzysztof Groń.
The Architecture Week was funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author or authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Executive Agency Scientific Research (REA). The European Union and the REA are not responsible for them.
The event was co-financed by the Silesian Voivodeship - Co-organizer of the European City of Science Katowice 2024.
