Architect Jurand Jarecki has died. He designed, among others, DH Skarbek

Jurand Jarecki was born in Krakow in 1931. He designed many modernist buildings that have many fans today. The architect died 13th of March at the age of 92. We recall his projects.

The architect had a strong influence on the urban planning of Katowice and what the city looks like today. He studied at the Cracow University of Technology and gained his education and experience during a scholarship in France, where he designed under the tutelage of Georges Candilis. During his scholarship, he became acquainted with the work of Le Corbusier, whose modernist ideas he tried to implement already in Silesia.

On his return to Poland, he joined the “Miastoprojekt Katowice” team and between 1958 and 1962, together with Mieczysław Król, worked on the design of the Zenit Department Store in Katowice. A few years later, another commercial building of his design was constructed next door – the Skarbek Co-operative Shopping Centre. At the time, both buildings were regarded as the most modern department stores in the country.

The architect also worked on projects for the Kosmos Cinema and Korfantego Avenue. He designed the famous Haperowiec and the block of flats on Poniatowskiego Street where he lived.

His other famous projects include the Silesian Library building (1980s) or the Library of the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice.

In his work, the architect used materials that were modern for the time – aluminium and glass. He saw them as the best raw material for constructing modern commercial buildings. The modernist buildings he designed are the best symbol of his work and may they accompany us for decades to come.

source: Dziennik Zachodni

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