“Katowice becomes a place of the most cumulated cultural investments, not only in Poland but also in Europe. A total amount to be spent on cultural projects exceeds PLN 1 billion” – Bogdan Zdrojewski, Minister of Culture, said during a cornerstone ceremony for the new home of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (NPRSO) in Katowice, that took place on Wednesday.
The ceremony gathered Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Minister of Regional Development, local authorities and people of music including Krzysztof Penderecki – composer, conductor and chairman of the NPRSO’s programme board.
“We build the venue for the musicians. Together with the Japanese acoustics we designed several interesting solutions in the concert hall. I hope it will be a proper place to listen the music of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, Wojciech Kilar or Krystian Zimerman. Now everything is in the prime contractor hands” – said Tomasz Konior, architect of the NPRSO’s new seat.
Works on the building were commenced in the turn of February and March this year and are conducted by Warbud S.A. The construction work costs PLN 234,9 million and are scheduled to be finished by 13th of November 2013. An estimated total cost of the project is PLN 265 million and is partially financed by the European Union funds.
The building with a total net area of 25 943 sq. meters will house 116 rooms where the Orchestra’s main functions will be performed, including a large concert hall with 1 672 seats, a small-audience hall with 290 seats and a recording studio. There will also be office, technical, and guest rooms as well as premises intended for archives where recordings and scores will be stored.
The new venue of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra is one of the three buildings being currently under construction in the so called new cultural district of Katowice.
Read an interview with Tomasz Konior and learn more about the NPRSO’s new seat >>>
Also see photos took from the Altus roof presenting works progress on the cultural district >>>
