The Emma Colony in Radlin, also known as Kolonia Emma, is a unique colliery housing estate that was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in the Silesian Voivodeship. Built for the employees of the Emma mine (today’s Marcel), the estate is one of the most valuable examples of early modern architecture in Upper Silesia.
The origins of the Emma colony date back to 1897, when the first buildings were erected for mine officials. The estate was developed in two main stages. The first construction phase covered the years 1897-1910, during which the clerks’ and workers’ houses were erected. The buildings were characteristic of the period – made of red brick, with gabled roofs, they formed a compact and harmonious development. The designer of this part of the estate was most probably Alexander Becher.
Early 20th century. Source: Der Oberschlesische Industriebezirk Kurt Seidl Oberschlesischer Berg- und Hüttenmännischer Verein Kattowitz 1913
The second phase of construction, which lasted from 1910 to 1913, saw a significant expansion of the estate. This saw the construction of 12-family buildings, schools and also the villa of the mine director. The architect William Müller was inspired by the idea of a garden estate, which was reflected in the spatial layout and architecture of the buildings, reminiscent of country cottages.
The Emma Colony is an example of the harmonious combination of functionality and aesthetics that were characteristic of modernism. The estate’s buildings are distinguished by their simplicity of form, functional interior layout and use of traditional materials such as red brick and tile. Each house had a small outbuilding, and the narrow, quiet alleys between the buildings were conducive to creating a friendly, intimate atmosphere.
During the second phase of development between 1910 and 1913, the estate was enriched with a number of new public buildings. These included a bathhouse, a laundry, a bakery, a barber shop and a department store. At the centre of the estate were green areas and cultivated gardens, which was in keeping with the concept of the garden estate. It is worth mentioning that Hans Poelzig, one of the leading architects of the time, also designed the Emma Colony extension, although his bold visions were not realised.
The name of the mine was changed after World War II, when the Polish authorities decided to get rid of the German nomenclature in Silesia. “Marcel” was taken from the name of a local communist activist, Jozef Kolorz, whom they wanted to commemorate in this way.
Today, Emma Colony is not only a testament to the development of architecture in Upper Silesia, but also an example of the attention to the quality of life of the residents that was a priority in its design. Although the estate was built with functionality in mind, its aesthetics have stood the test of time, and the ongoing revitalisation is helping to preserve the unique character of the establishment.
Source: miasto.radlin.pl, poznaj-slask.pl
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Monument | Estate | Urban planning | History | Interesting facts
