Plato Contemporary, Ostrawa

Architects: Robert Konieczny, Michał Lisiński, Dorota Skóra
Text: György Szegő
Photos: Juliusz Sokołowski

By saving a historic building and turning it into an art gallery, the architects introduced a solution that makes art more democratic – by rotating the walls in an unusual way, it goes outside the building. The concept transformed the space around the gallery, which had previously been contaminated, into a biodiverse art park for the benefit of local residents. The huge holes in the long-derelict walls have been filled with white micro-concrete, and the new wing that serves as the museum is a white block. Some of the white additions are not just symbols, but moving building elements. The pivoting walls act as a special gateway, allowing the art to be seen outside the building. The original brick ornamentation, window arches, cornices and pilasters have been preserved on the new wall sections. The historic preservation principle of making the new addition visible was maximised.

General planning: KWK Promes
Architects: Robert Konieczny, Michał Lisiński, Dorota Skóra
Co-architects: Tadeáš Goryczka, Marek Golab-Sieling
Assistant architects: Agnieszka Wolny-Grabowska, Krzysztof Kobiela, Adrianna Wycisło, Mateusz Białek, Jakub Bilan, Wojciech Fudala, Katarzyna Kuzior, Karol Knap, Damian Kuna, Magdalena Orzeł-Rurańska, Elżbieta Siwiec, Anna Szewczyk, Jakub Pielecha, Kinga Wojtanowska
Client: Municipalit of Ostrawa