The Skarbek Cooperative Department Store has been part of Katowice’s market for over 50 years. The building is an example of late functionalism, which grew out of an older structure. Today, every resident of Katowice knows it, and its unusual form has earned it both fans and critics.
“Skarbek” and its origins
The plot of land now occupied by “Skarbek” has a history dating back to at least the beginning of the 19th century. At that time, there was a manor inn here, known from old descriptions and iconography, which survived until the middle of the century. After that, Adolf Fröhlich built a one-storey tenement house, set back from the line of the later market square. It housed shops and restaurants, and after the war, a café and delicatessen. The building existed until the early 1970s, when it was demolished in connection with the planned redevelopment of this part of the city centre.
Late functionalism in Katowice
The new department store was designed by Jurand Jarecki in collaboration with the constructor Franciszek Klimek at Miastoprojekt in Katowice. Conceptual work on the redevelopment of the north-western part of the market square began in the late 1960s. Initially, a much taller building was considered, but ultimately a six-storey commercial building was chosen. Jarecki’s proposal was bold for the time, as it presented a structure without traditional shop windows. The interiors were designed with the participation of Naso Łazowski and Bogdan Bąbski, ensuring consistency between the architecture and the visual arts. From the outset, Skarbek has been owned by PSS Społem Katowice.
“Skarbek” and its features
“Skarbek” was built using reinforced concrete technology on a trapezoidal plan, which was a direct result of the shape of the plot and the high groundwater level. The building was set on a massive concrete pedestal and covered with a flat roof. The most recognisable detail of the façade are the horizontal strips of aluminium panels in the form of scales, originally made as openwork cladding for the “Luna” system. They gave the building rhythm and visual lightness. They were combined with large glazing on the lower floors, which further lightened the visual mass of the building. The composition was complemented by neon signs with the name of the department store.
Interventions in the structure of the “Skarbek” department store
Since its opening in 1975, “Skarbek” has undergone many changes. After the political transformation, the facades began to be filled with advertisements, a LED screen appeared, and the interiors were adapted to new tenants. However, the most invasive changes to the original design were the modernisations carried out at the beginning of the 21st century. As part of this work, the ground floor was extended and external lifts were installed. The new vertical accents contrast sharply with the horizontal character of the façade. The replacement of the aluminium cladding in 2018-2019 also caused great outrage. Ultimately, their idea was retained by using new, simplified aluminium elements and restoring the building to its former appearance. Today, “Skarbek” is still a place of trade, as well as services and entertainment. After the reconstruction of the market square, it towers over its plaza and reminds us of other modernisations of the centre of Katowice that have created its current landscape.
Source: slazag.pl, polska-org.pl
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