Silesia City Center Extension
Poland
Katowice

Silesia City Center Extension

The Silesia City Center  (SCC) is  a retail based  mixed use development located in Katowice in Silesia Region of Southern Poland. The region, and the site itself are associated with coal mining industry. The project was developed on the former coalmine site and was recognized already as one  of the best examples of industrial revitalization.   Bose International designed the first original building and ten year later was asked   to create the major   retail  extension .The completed development became the dominant mixed use retail  development in the region. The technical complexity of designing on   post mining site called for the top multidisciplinary consultants   with Bose International as a Design Architect ,   Arup as an the  Main  Engineer and Stabil  Architects as Building Permit Architect.

The theme of first phase developed   almost a decade ago was inspired  by  the  mining history of the region . The  current extension was created as an intentional esthetical  counterbalance  to the themed  stage setting ambiance  of the earlier development. The extension  esthetics is touching the mining theme but with a discrete  metaphorical approach. The  ambitious commercial leasing expectations  were answered  with an  architectural concept  still keeping  the two phases of the building uniform in terms of  the retail and entertainment function . The site constrains  became the reason for  semicircular shape of the extension and allowed for  attractive building  front to the  closely located multifamily  residential development. The motive of mining basket could be found in  the façade layered with  ceramic and metal shapes wrapping the oval form of the  building. Transparent glass box  entrances  are revealing  the inside of the center and are mediating  between the  the X- patterned   and vertical I-patterned façade screens.

The functional program of the extension  consists of two retail  levels: the new  ground floor and  new residual first floor connected to the existing entertainment level. Extension internal traffic  flow is fully connected  to, and integrated with the existing center. Car parking spaces were designed below the building and on the roof. 

SELECTED AWARDS:

ICSC European Shopping Centers Awards 2013

• Refurbishment and/or Expansion 

Central and Eastern European Retail Real Estate Awards

• Extended/Refurbished Project of the Year