The renovation of a modernist townhouse, which was built in the 1930s, has been completed. The building is located at 42 Skłodowska-Curie Street.
The building had already been in a poor state for several years. Parts of its façade were falling off and a cover was installed at the level of the first floor to protect passers-by. This stage is now history. The work cost nearly PLN 2 million.
The scope of the work carried out was considerable. Old installations and surface-mounted appliances, some windows and doors, window sills, gutters and balustrades were dismantled. Plaster was removed, walls were cleaned and balcony panels were repaired. The building has new insulation for the basement walls, which will protect the building from water damage. Some windows, doors and the shop window of the business premises have also been replaced. Most noticeable is the new façade, the colour of which refers to the building’s original appearance.
In addition to the renewal of the façade, which now looks the same as it did years ago, associated works such as the renovation of the balconies, partial replacement of window and door frames, roof renovation, and partial waterproofing were also carried out. It must be remembered that work on historical buildings must be carried out with special care and under the supervision of the Provincial Conservator of Monuments,’ emphasises Marcin Gawlik, director of KZGM Katowice.
The works were therefore preceded by stratigraphic research. Thanks to them, it was possible to determine historical colours. Archival photographs, illustrations and descriptionswere also helpful . However, this is not the end of the metamorphosis. In 2025, interior work is to begin.
The modernist tenement house on Skłodowska-Curie Street is not the only building in our city that exemplifies this unique style. There are many more! Tourists visiting Katowice can learn about the city’s history by walking, among other things, the Route of Katowice Modernism, which includes 17 buildings. These include the Cloud Scraper at 15/17 Żwirki i Wigury St., the Silesian Library Education House at 12 Francuska St. and the service and residential building at 13 Dworcowa St. Their simple form and functionality corresponded to the world trends of the time, and the use of concrete, steel and other materials modern for those times confirmed the high level of Polish architecture, informs the Katowice City Hall.
photos: KAW
source: UMKatowice (katowice.eu)
Also read: Katowice | Tenement| Facade| Curiosities | whiteMAD on Instagram
This is how the tenement looked BEFORE the renovation:
And yes AFTER the works have been completed:
