The facility saved from collapse by the Silesian University of Technology, out of interest of potential investors for years and lacking ideas for its use, purchased from the city, adapted and rebuilt, presents a model revitalization. The facility has already gained recognition, is praised and admired. But the road wasn't easy. Several dozen people took part in the design and supervision process.

Below is an extensive comment by the author of the concept and the main architect of the project for obtaining a building permit, Prof. Claudius Fross World Cup:

The Student Creativity Center is an innovative philosophy contained in a historic building. The concept was inspired by objects such as: Design Factory (Riga), D-School (Stanford), Materialoteka (Madrid), Red Dot Design Museum (Singapore).
From idea to product - the rooms were arranged so that a student or a group of students could implement their idea, gain knowledge, use appropriate spaces for individual and group work, design and make a prototype, present it to an investor, show it at an exhibition. The intention is for the user to temporarily reserve the zones and rooms they want to use. The exhibition space and cinema room enable the organization of exhibitions and project presentations. From the very beginning, the main assumption was that the object itself and its interiors would inspire creative activities. But here we have a historical context that made this task difficult. Therefore, a superstructure that was both bold and restrained in expression was necessary.

The first idea was created by the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Prof. Anna Timofiejczuk's WP is the concept of adaptation to the Climate Center, presented to Bertrand Piccard, PhD Honoris Causa WP, during the Climate Summit in Katowice in 2018. Then, in 2018-2020, several versions of the joint investment with the city, financial plans for the project and no further decisions. Progress occurs in 2021 when PŚ acquires the building from the city. At that time, the former fire station building was degraded and at risk of collapse. It was also not protected as a monument. The central part on Ip was too low for adaptation, and the facility had too small an area to add new functions as needed and invest significant funds for reconstruction. That's why the idea of ​​a glass superstructure with equal height with the side wings came up. The concept was agreed with the Municipal Conservator of Monuments. For me, as an educator, it is a model example of revitalization. The glass, withdrawn center shows a new part, provides new quality and functionality, and at the same time separates itself aesthetically from the historic brick whole. The side wings, their details, the front and rear walls have been carefully restored. The number of problems and obstacles was unimaginable, 6 years of struggle, several concepts and financial plans, changes in the project team, several changes in documentation, constant new requirements, a pandemic, as well as a strange, incomprehensible, behind-the-scenes breath of "hate" - this was the project context. Today everyone says "a gem" or even "the cherry on the Academic cake". Therefore, the profession of an architect is a beautiful profession for the persistent. After obtaining a building permit, several multi-disciplinary student teams, including Interior Design students, faced many issues during PBL classes. The idea was to involve students in the real design process at the technical design stage. Some of the ideas have been implemented, e.g. information and orientation in the facility. Information boards were made according to student designs. Parts of the interior were also inspired by students' ideas. The multi-disciplinary executive design was carried out by the Bulanda Architekci studio from Krakow. The tender for the implementation was won by Mostostal Zabrze GPBP. Frequent meetings on the construction site as part of the author's supervision were of great importance for the quality of the facility.

The facility has interesting interiors, all installations and technologies are externally displayed. Photovoltaic panels are embedded in the glass panes. The process of equipping it with furniture and multimedia is currently underway. Elements of small architecture, designer benches and the recognizable BenchMan brand appeared in front of the facility. The red benches were co-authored by Prof. World Cup Klaudiusz Fross and Dr. Krzysztof Groń. The silhouettes of red horses placed on the side panels of the benches also refer to the former stable of fire horses. Information about the facility was cut out on one of the benches. The building was to be further expanded in the form of a glass passage with a restaurant, cafe and galleries. Unfortunately, the complicated and lengthy process of water law arrangements effectively stopped this idea and project. However, a rain garden and additional recreational space are likely to be implemented.

An innovative use process is currently underway using variable and temporary equipment to better adapt to new user needs. Target furniture and multimedia equipment will appear soon.

Official opening: July 12, 2024.

https://www.polsl.pl/ps_aktualnosci/otwarcie-studenckiego-centrum-kreatywnosci-2/