industrial past carves distinct landscape for new silesian museum by riegler riewe

industrial past carves distinct landscape for new silesian museum by riegler riewe
image © iñigo bujedo aguirre

paying tribute to the polish city of katowice’s rich and industrial past, austrian firm riegler riewe has designed the new silesian museum. the site, previously a former coal mine has carved a distinctive landscape for the architects to work with. from the exterior, there is a distinguishable sense of old and new. the contrasting heights of the glass, cube structures sit harmoniously next to the original warszawa mining tower. acting as a fundamental attraction, it is now accessible for visitors to go up and experience the views of katowice at an elevated height

new and existing sit side by side
image © iñigo bujedo aguirre

the exhibition area is purposely located underground, where the transparent volumes above, act as light wells which illuminate the space below with natural light and also, allowing the flow of natural ventilation. with minimal intervention, the museum is designed to be a flexible space, not only to showcase the history of the city, but also to cater to a variety of other exhibitions. visitors move through the spaces using the large ramp system that allows them to see glimpses of katowice and the museum’s surrounding landscape which was designed also by the firm.
 
glass volumes amongst the warszawa mining tower
image © iñigo bujedo aguirre

new walkways and landscape around the museum
image © iñigo bujedo aguirre

old and existing buildings
image © iñigo bujedo aguirre

image © iñigo bujedo aguirre

image © iñigo bujedo aguirre

the museum at night
image © iñigo bujedo aguirre