The competition was organized jointly by Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa and the Silesian University of Technology’s Faculty of Architecture. – Our duty is to take of the existing mines but we also must have an idea about what to do with the facilities that have been decommissioned. That’s why we have announced the competition – said Robert Małłek, acting President of the JSW SA Management Board at the competition finals. – We wanted young people to present their proposals and concepts; we hoped for freshness, youth and courage.
As a result, 8 works have been submitted to be assessed by the jury. – The subject was very difficult and I admire the participants’ courage and competence– said professor Krzysztof Gasidło, head of the Urban and Spatial Planning at the Silesian University of Technology’s Faculty of Architecture. – The level of the contest was very high. The entrants showed maturity and care for utilizing these assets and finding a rational application for them. This is not the first project we do together with JSW and we highly value the cooperation with Group companies.
The first place and a check for 10 thousand zloty went to a team of architects: Katarzyna Kotulska and Justyna Chowaniec. The second prize and 6 thousand zloty went jointly to: Sonia Jarczyk, Wojciech Siudy and Kamil Kajdas. The jury also awarded two ex aequo prizes for the third place. Checks for PLN 4 thousand went to Agnieszka Słota and a team consisting of Kamil Wróbel, Jakub Kozera and Jakub Maciejewski. In addition, an honorary mention was awarded to Paulina Chodór and Marta Kamińska.
The winning design entitled “Business incubator” presents a vision of a big, multi-function complex, comprising the existing facilities to be adapted. In the jury’s opinion, the authors correctly interpreted the determinants of the facility and the site with a central public space. – First, We wanted to rearrange the site. Second, in place of the jobs in the mine, we wanted to propose something new – offices in which small business can develop. We wanted to supplement this with attractive recreation space for the local community – explained Justyna Chowaniec from the winning team. The second winner, Katarzyna Kotulska added: – We thought long about the concept. This was the most difficult part. But the execution of the design went very fast.
The Foch shaft is the fourth shaft built in Knurów’s mine in the early years of the 20th century. Its sinking was completed during World War I. In the 1920s, accompanying buildings were constructed around the shaft, including the switching station. In 1922 the shaft was named after the French marshal Ferdinand Foch. – My heart bleeds to see it in such state of repair. I think that this competition will bring the desired effects, the rest is up to us – said Grzegorz Michalik, director of the Knurów–Szczygłowice mine. The shaft is 575 meters deep and has become part of the city landscape. Soon it will be completely decommissioned as it ceased to perform its functions. Zbigniew Gałkowski, the head of the Knurów Mine Tradition Hall, said: – The location of this shaft is perfect – it is set in the very heart of the new Knurów. It has very easy access from each part of the city and the site around it is up for development. That’s why it deserves attention.
