Warbud S.A., a building firm had contracted to erect the new seat of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (NPRSO), entered the construction site in the turn of February and March. The company already commenced removing digs to prepare the building’s foundation. This way, works on the last of three planned unexceptional facilities of the cultural district were kicked-off.
The new district, a huge undertaking worth approximately PLN 1 billion, takes place in the area of the former “Katowice” coal mine. The mine has been operating since 1823 and was shut down in 1999. Now the area is being transformed into the new district of culture with the new seats of Silesian Museum, International Convention Center (ICC), NPRSO, refurbished “Spodek” sport and exhibition hall and new roads within the zone.
In the first instance, works were commenced on the Silesian Museum and have been conducting since about last eight months. The Budimex prime contractor had to remove about 250 000 of soil from the 15 meters deep excavation as the new Museum’s home will be located under the ground. The builders will use 57 000 cubic meters of concrete, 4 000 tons of steel and four tower cranes (two of them already operate at the site).
Works on the International Convention Center were started in the last quarter of 2011. At present, a mine waste dump is being removed from the site. The number of soil to be removed from the dump and from the excavation will reach 500 000 cubic meters. Polimex-Mostostal will need 45 000 cubic meters of concrete and 3 500 tons of steel to construct the ICC. Four tower cranes will operate at the site.
The new venue of the music lovers of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra will enjoy the building made of 22 000 cubic meters of concrete and 4 200 tons of steel. Four tower cranes reaching from 43 to 56 meters will help to erect the building. About 550 people will be involved in the outfitting work.
Cultural district in brief:
Silesian Museum
– designer: Riegler Riewe Architekten
– estimated total cost of the project: PLN 324 million
– prime contractor: Budimex S.A. and Ferrovial Agroman S.A.
– cost of the construction work: PLN 207 million
– start: 7th of June 2011
– time for completion according to contract: 20 months
International Convention Center
– designer: JEMS Architekci
– estimated total cost of the project: PLN 304,5 million
– prime contractor: Polimex-Mostostal S.A.
– cost of the construction work: PLN 252,5 million
– start: 3rd of October 2011
– time for completion according to contract: 20 months
New seat of NPRSO
– designer: Konior Studio (building), Nagata Acoustics (grand hall’s acoustics)
– estimated total cost of the project: PLN 265 million
– prime contractor: Warbud S.A. (leader of consortium)
– cost of the construction work: PLN 234,9 million
– start: 13th of February 2012
– time for completion according to contract: 20 months
New road system (stage I, stage II phase I)
– designer: Mosty Katowice
– estimated total cost of the project: n/a
– prime contractor: Budimex S.A.
– cost of the construction work: PLN 53,2 million + PLN 2,46 million (additional works)
– start: 2nd of June 2011
– time for completion according to contract: 19 months
Refurbishment of “Spodek”
– designer of the refurbishment: Biuro Projektów Architektonicznych
– estimated total cost of the project: n/a
– prime contractor: Mostostal Warszawa S.A. (elevation and roof)
– cost of the construction work: PLN 30 million
– start: 28th of September 2010
– time for completion according to contract: 31 months
