A state-of-the-art multimedia room with a computer lab, architectural, ceramics, glass and stained glass studios, as well as a materials library with conservation details and building materials are now available to students! A branch of the Silesian University of Technology's Faculty of Architecture opened in Katowice on Monday. Until now, architecture at this university could only be studied in Gliwice.
March 20 saw the grand opening of the newly renovated Architecture Branch, located at 8 Krasińskiego Street in the building of the Silesian University of Technology's Faculties of Transportation and Aeronautical Engineering and Materials Engineering. The event was attended by: Rector of the Silesian University of Technology Prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk, President of the City of Katowice Dr. Marcin Krupa, deans, invited guests, partners, participants in the investment process, faculty members and first-year students.
Ceremonial opening of the Department of Architecture in Katowice,
in the photo from left: President of Katowice Marcin Krupa, Rector of PŚ Arkadiusz Mężyk, Dean of WAPŚ Klaudiusz Fross
© WAPŚ
As emphasized by Dean of the Faculty of Architecture Dr. Klaudiusz Fross, Prof. PŚ, the opening of the unit is a significant point in the history of the university and its further development:
It is important to emphasize the high performance of the unit in recent years and the current position of the Faculty. In the Perspektywy ranking, we were ranked 2nd twice, and in the Builder ranking we were ranked 1st twice. The Department has also received the A scientific category twice, and thus we have habilitation rights. Also, in the latest PAKA evaluation, the architecture faculty received an honorable mention as excellent [...]. Now we are opening for students attractive and inspiring, the premises of the department in Katowice.
one of the architecture studios
© WAPŚ
development of the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology
After World War II, in 1945, the Silesian University of Technology established the Department of Architecture within the Faculty of Engineering and Construction. In 1971, the Institute of Architecture was established and the department's name was changed to the Faculty of Construction and Architecture; six years later, the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology was established.
The plaque of the Department of Architecture in Katowice
© WAPŚ
Last year, the Katowice Branch of the Faculty of Architecture was established, at which time the first male and female extramural and undergraduate students began their studies. Meanwhile, on Monday, March 20, 2023, the official opening of the Katowice Branch took place after a major renovation and furnishing of the premises. The branch is part of a project called: the Katowice Laboratory of the Future, Transport, Architecture, Urban Planning, Construction, Design and Plastic Arts (together with the Faculty of Transport and Aeronautical Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology).
A modern room with multimedia boards
© WAPŚ
The renovation and furnishings were made possible thanks to a grant from the Mayor of Katowice and a subsidy from the Rector of the Silesian University of Science and Technology (PŚ), and the Division's premises complement the Department of Architecture in Gliwice. Furniture and stucco furnishings were provided by sponsoring companies.
The branch is equipped with a material library and furnaces for ceramics and glass fusing
© WAPŚ
modern Architecture Branch
The Katowice Branch can offer a modern, multifunctional and multimedia teaching room with a computer lab for fifteen workstations. It can be used for lectures, consultations, seminars and training, facilitated by three multimedia whiteboards. There can be classroom, online, hybrid classes.
student relaxation zone
© WAPŚ
Another room is an architectural studio - a material library and a pattern room for architectural and conservation details, with a mock-up room allowing in-house work, presentations, demonstrations and consultations. There is a ceramics, glass and stained glass studio, equipped with two furnaces: ceramic and glass fusing. It is worth mentioning that a student area, exhibition hall, department office and social room were also created.
The presence of the Department of Architecture in Katowice is not only a wider didactic offer, but also scientific research and design and implementation work. The faculty wants to actively participate in the development of the city, have an impact on its beautification, on the quality of public spaces, on the increase in the quality of life. We are at your disposal and open to cooperation, you will be able to rely on us for public consultation, planning, programming and concepts for new investments," concluded Dean Klaudiusz Fross.
