The Walenty Roździeński housing estate, commonly known as ‘Gwiazdy’, is one of the most recognisable residential complexes in Poland. The complex was built between 1970 and 1978 on land formerly belonging to the Katowice Coal Mine. Its name and characteristic appearance result from the shape of the buildings, erected on the plan of an eight-pointed star. A team of architects consisting of: Henryk Buszko, Aleksander Franta and Tadeusz Szewczyk. “Stars” in Katowice are today an icon of 1970s housing construction.
Beginnings of the “Gwiazdy” housing estate in Katowice
The area for the construction of the housing estate was previously located in the area of ponds and water reservoirs associated with the mine. Geotechnical tests showed that the ground was suitable for high buildings, although it was additionally reinforced with piles driven 30 metres deep. The decision to go ahead with the investment was taken by General Jerzy Ziętek, and work began in 1970. The first stage was the construction of three high-rise buildings and a school. The first to be commissioned was the “Star” at 100 Roździeńskiego Avenue, completed in the same year. Subsequent buildings were erected successively, including a high-rise building at 98 Roździeńskiego Avenue, intended for the employees of ZWUS Katowice. The second stage of the investment involved the construction of four further high-rise buildings and a service pavilion. Construction was completed in 1978. In the 1980s, consideration was given to extending the estate and linking it to the campus of the University of Silesia, but these plans were not realised.
Changes and modernisations
In the following decades, the estate underwent numerous organisational and image changes. In 2002, the first housing communities were established, and in 2012 the “Star” housing cooperative was registered for one of the buildings. Since 2009, extensive thermal modernisation works have been carried out, including insulation and façade renewal. Residents have also been involved in neighbourhood issues. In 2019, they protested against plans to rebuild the Drogowa Trasa Średnicowa, fearing increased noise and reduced green spaces.
“Stars” in Katowice – architecture and urban layout
The “Gwiazdy” housing estate is made up of seven 27-storey skyscrapers 81 metres high. Each of them was built on the plan of an eight-pointed star, which allowed for efficient distribution of flats and reduced heat loss. The buildings were constructed using formwork technology with pumice concrete. The estate also included service pavilions. After thermal modernisation, the facades of the high-rise buildings were given subdued colours of grey, purple, yellow, green and blue. The area along the main streets was protected with acoustic screens. The individual buildings have created flats ranging from approximately 54 to 62 square metres in size. The high-rise buildings are equipped with three lifts and safety systems such as fire monitoring, gas sensors and emergency lighting.
Daily life and institutions
There are numerous service and retail establishments on the estate, including doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries, a post office and shops. Educational facilities also play an important role. There are two kindergartens, a primary school and a school-pre-school complex. Residents also use the “Pod Gwiazdami” Co-operative Club and a branch of the Municipal Public Library. The estate is adjacent to the campuses of the University of Silesia and the University of Economics, and the Silesian Museum is also located in the immediate vicinity.
source: slazag.pl, polska-org
Read also: Architecture | Modernism | Block | Katowice | Architecture in Poland
